JAKE

I woke up to movement on the bed, Lea was up and stretching. I reached out my hand running it down her nude back. She turned to smile at me. I could still smell my scent, it saturated her, I couldn't describe the pleasure it gave me knowing part of me was still inside her. It made me really feel like she was mine. A thought struck me, and my face became serious.

"We didn't use protection." I was usually really careful, but everything had happened so quickly and I'd been so consumed by what had occurred between us. My eyes looked down to her belly, not certain about how I felt about the possibility of a child.

"I'm on the pill Jake, don't worry your safe." She had noticed my gaze and she laughed patting my chest affectionately. "Are you hungry, I'm starving?" She was reaching down for her clothes pulling them back on. I felt a twinge of regret, now with my concerns being unfounded I wouldn't have minded another long session of sex with her. I groaned feeling my muscles pop.

"I suppose." I languished on the bed watching her dress, she shook her head.

"I think you probably also have a window to finish?" she gave me a considering look, I knew I was not going to be able to guilt her into crawling back into bed with me.

"Yeah, your right." I finally pulled myself up, grabbing my discarded clothing from the foot of the bed and pulling it back on. I looked up to find her watching me. She crossed the floor; I caught her and kissed her before she could me. Something inside of me clicked, it was a less intense version of the feeling I had when I first entered her, contentment, a belonging. "You were right you know." I followed her as we both walked from the room.

"About?" She stopped at the head of the stairs, raising her eyebrows at my statement.

"Making love was… perfect." I leaned in to kiss her again, I felt like I couldn't keep my hands off her. She tugged lightly on my hair.

"Jake I'll be honest, I've never felt anything like I did in that room a few hours ago. Once again I find myself asking what have you done to me?" Her expression was playful; she held my chin in her hand.

"Hopefully changed you half as much as you have me?" I was rewarded with the most beautiful smile from her at my words, she kissed me again. I pushed her back against the wall; deepened the kiss, my hands finding her ass, wanting to lift her up again. Sudden thoughts of sex in the hallway sprung to mind. Lea though pulled away laughing. She pushed playfully on my chest.

"Work Jacob and then play I promise." I pouted, she kissed my cheek. "I'm going to run to town and grab some takeout, is there anything you really want?" I allowed her to see my eyes drift over her. This just caused more giggling.

"Focus Jake!" she was smiling, but there was a glint in her eyes that hadn't been there before, a new intensity. I narrowed in on it with the concentration that is only processed by a predatory animal. I still had her back against the wall; I nuzzled her neck, biting her shoulder.

"Give me a chance for release and you'll get all the focus from me that you want." Fuck I was already rock hard in my pants just being near her and smelling our sex from earlier, she had to feel that. The playfulness of her expression fell away, she took one deep breath and then another. She was fighting her own self control. I helped it along, once again unbuttoning her shorts, I only had to give them a little push to send them falling to the floor.

Her breathing was becoming erratic. She was giving in to her desires, her small hands lifted and started to undo my pants, and they too fell to the ground with little effort. The growl that left my chest was more wolf then human. Returning my grasp to her ass I lifted her roughly off the floor. Her scent of arousal assaulted my senses, I felt like I was losing a little of my reason. All I could smell, feel and see at the moment was her. I pushed her underwear to the side, not even bothering to take it off as the head of my cock slid in her wet sheath. A thought flitted through, wondering if this was what a leech felt when they were consumed with blood.

But I wouldn't hurt her, I could never hurt her. I loved her, and I wanted to hear her scream my name, I wanted her to rake my back with her nails. I let her go a little stepping forward more, gravity pulling her down on my cock as I settled inside of her once again. She was small; barely chest level with me standing and being inside her was so ridiculously tight that it stopped my breath for a few seconds. Earlier that day on the bed had been completely about love, right now against the hallway wall it was completely about our desire for one another.

I thrust into her hard, she whimpered in pleasure, her whole body thumping against the wall behind her. "Jacob." She groaned my name, her hands pulling at my hair drawing me even closer to her; I speed up the pace of my driving into her.

"Does that feel good?" I rumble in her ear, I want to hear her tell me how amazing I am, how fantastic I'm making her feel.

"Oh god Jake… please, harder." Her tone becomes desperate, and I'm hoping that is a signal she is nearing orgasm. I crush her against the wall with my body, my hips pumping my cock into her as fast as I can go. I close my eyes, sweet oblivion as her body clamps down on mine. She cums, screaming my name into my shoulder, her whole body trembling again like it did earlier. She is lost in the beautiful void of her orgasm. My body is still an inferno. I continue thrusting; I can feel the pressure growing in my balls, the tightening. I'm getting close. I press her forcible against the wall as I cum. The bellowing noise that leaves my throat doesn't really contain words, just raw emotion.

Gasping for air, Lea slowly slides back to the floor, standing on shaky legs she continues to depend on the solid foundation behind her. My arms brace around her, giving me support as I watch her. Face flushed, once again heavy with my scent. Never in my life have I felt so much like something belongs solely to me. It's a heady thought.

"Thank you." My words have a raw, natural edge to them. I kiss her hair, nuzzling the side of her head. Her eyes turn up to me with amusement.

"Are you seriously thanking me for the best orgasm I've ever had?" I laugh at her echoing my own words from earlier. Not able to help the fact my pride was swelling at her description of what I'd accomplished.

"Fuck, Baby, I'll thank you for anything if we can just keep doing that." I smirk at her, stepping back, my pants are still somewhat around my feet, and I stoop to pull them back up. Lea is also working on retrieving her shorts again.

"You aren't going to hear any complaints from me." I turn at the grin on her face at her comment and feel one of my own. I suddenly tried very hard to remember just how miserable my life had been just a week ago, because right now I was the happiest I could ever remember being. "How do huge, greasy cheeseburgers sound for dinner?" My stomach growled loud enough for her to hear at the suggestion. I laughed.

"Perfect, just get mine covered in bacon."

"Okay, I'll be back quick, if you want to maybe finish the window while I'm gone?" That look, telling me she was being nice and asking it as a question, but in reality she expected the work accomplished.

"You give me sex and bacon and I'll fix your window." My cocky grin, patented by the sixteen year old version of myself and almost forgotten over time, it was coming back out into play now.

"You Sir are an idiot." She stood on tippy toe again to kiss me gently one last time before she left.

"But I'm your idiot right?"

"Definitely." I caught her in one final intense kiss, barely able to let her go. I watched her ass as she walked down the stairs and to the door. Jacob Black maybe you aren't the most unlucky, stupid bastard that has ever lived. And for the first time I actually believed myself when I thought this. I walked down the hallway; back to the job I had been pulled from hours before, ready to finally finish it.

I stood on the small porch out front watching Lea's truck pull away, waving. It was her first evening on night shift and the end to our glorious first couple of days spent entirely together. The last twenty four hours had been perfection. I almost didn't know what to do, I had been pissed off shithead Jake for so long, that new, mature and adored Jake almost didn't know how to handle himself. I knew I was a fucking lucky bastard, but I also knew there was still one not so small bridge that we needed to cross. And what in the hell was Lea going to think when she found out her boyfriend shared his skin with his giant, hairy wolf self. I had been trying to not even think about it, but I knew I was going to have to face it sooner or later. Especially since being around her brought out a lot more of my more wolf like tendencies for some ass weird reason.

I also knew Sam was going to be looking for me really soon. My weeks vacation from my Beta duties was up, in fact I'd been thinking about trying to find a way to get out of the house for a few hours just to talk to Sam last night, and then Lea had been naked and on top of me and the sex had been mind blowing. I had been exhausted after we had finally finished and I'd just wanted to hold her and sleep. Sam was probably going to be pissed it took me so long to check in, but I didn't really care. I would never turn my back on my pack again, I was growing out of my spoiled teenage asshole ways, but my pack had grown and Lea was just as important to me as any of them, as my family. I loved her and needed her to bring sense to my chaotic world.

Still standing here and staring at the empty driveway like an idiot was not going to accomplish a single fucking thing. Locking up the house I made my way into the backyard. Scenting the air I was certain I was alone, I dropped and hid my shorts and shifting took off running into the woods. The cool night air felt great as it whipped through my fur. I reached out my mind, I could feel quickly a few of us were shifted right now, everyone just wandering around enjoying their evening. It only took me moments to find Sam. He was near the beach, as soon as he picked up on my thoughts I could feel his disapproval.

"Nice of you to finally join me Jacob."I didn't feel any guilt and I plainly allowed him to know that.

"It was great to see you at the party the other night Sam, because I know how important "pack bonding" is to you… Oh wait you weren't there."There was a growl in my tone; I could feel ripples of emotions from the other wolves, curiosity, displeasure, agreement. I focused solely on the reactions of my Alpha.

"That was a low blow Jacob. My pregnant wife was sick and she needed me."I slowed to a trot as I entered the clearing Sam was sitting in. I too sat back on my haunches giving my Alpha a considering look.

"We all have responsibilities and family Sam, something you seem to have forgotten lately."More wolves were drawing closer; I could scent Leah and Seth watching from the tree line.

"Somehow I doubt some woman you met a couple of days ago constitutes as your family quite yet Jake."Sam's tone and eyes were cold. I felt my ears press firmly against my skull as I fought the urge to leap up snapping at him.

"How would you know Sam? You weren't there to even meet her."My teeth bared. Sam just shook his head.

"Four years now Jacob, I've been putting up with this petty, selfish, bullshit from you, are you ever going to grow up?"My fur stood up, but I still managed to keep my anger in check.

"Four years now Sam I have been putting up with this self righteous, pompous attitude from you. Being Alpha doesn't make you our keeper, just our leader and what kind of leader doesn't care about respect from his followers?"I was surprised from the agreement I felt from some of the wolf minds around me. Sam cast a dark glance at the woods.

"What are you saying Jacob?"Sam stood and carefully walked the space between us, trying to glare me down, only I also got to my feet and for the first time I fully realized just how much smaller Sam was in his wolf form then me and how non-threatening he seemed. He snapped at me trying to exert his authority, only I leapt back, teeth bared again.

"I'm saying Sam that maybe it's time for you to realize that we're all grateful for you taking care of us when we all started to shift. We were a bunch of messed up stupid kids, but we are becoming men now and you can't keep treating us like we are all sixteen years old. Scolding us for our actions and then not holding yourself to the same standards."I was surprised when Sam's wolf form suddenly fell away and instead the man stood in front of me. I calmed, allowing my shift to follow his, we both just stood a moment looking at one another.

"Would you walk with me Jake?" His eyes had question and I knew now he shifted because he didn't want our conversation to continue to be heard by every wolf within our group. I nodded; it was late enough at night that two naked men should not be spotted walking along the beach. We were silent for a while, Sam looked like he was contemplating what to say, I was trying to figure out what I thought.

"Two more boys became wolves this week while you were gone." I couldn't stop the surprise that crossed my face at what Sam was telling me. "The Cullen's being back in town must have triggered their shifts, two fifteen year olds. I really could have used your help."

"I'm sorry Sam, but I needed this week. I'll be more use to you now then I ever could have been otherwise. I got a lot of my shit together." I did feel a little guilt but I also knew everything I had just told him was true. He stopped walking and just stared at me for a long time.

"Did you sleep with her Jake?" Sam's expression was so serious as he asked the question. I froze, wondering what in the fuck would even make him think I would want to talk about something so fucking private.

"That's not really any of your business Sam because it has nothing to do with the pack." He was still looking at me, but shrugging his shoulders seemed to brush off whatever line of thinking he was following.

"Jake I'm going to be honest with you, I have a lot on my plate right now and I can really use your help." For the first time in a long time I thought Sam really looked tired.

"You know I will do whatever I can Sam, but you're the Alpha and the pack takes it's cues from you. As hard as it might be, you can't really disappear either." He turned to look at me with a hard expression.

"And what about you Jake? Are you ever really here? Have you been here whole heartily at all since everything happened with Bella? Were you even then? Are you ever going to be able to look beyond the scope of what Jake wants and needs to what everyone wants and needs?" His words stung mostly because I knew how true they were.

"Look Sam I know I have been an asshole, for pretty much ever. I really don't have an excuse, I mean I have dealt with a lot of shit, but we all have. I have shirked around my responsibilities since my first shift. I can apologize but that isn't what you're looking for. I can tell you that I see what I used to be and I want the chance to show you what I can become." I was earnest. For the first time in my life I saw a genuine future laid out in front of me, and that gave me a motivation like nothing else has to really work on making it happen and part of that future involved my responsibilities to my pack. I needed to grow up, I wanted to be a man that Lea would be proud to be with, and I know I can, but that meant I had to stop hiding and sulking like a little kid when things didn't go my way.

Sam sighed. Maybe he wanted to say more to me, but instead he just closed his eyes for a moment before finally shaking his head. "I want to do a training run with the new wolves tomorrow night. I figure midnight would be a good start time. Can I count on you to be here?"

"Yes you can, I promise." Sam nodded. I felt like the tension between us had slackened off a little. Stepping away I was pretty certain Sam was going to shift back to a wolf but he paused first.

"Where can I reach you now Jake? Are you even coming home?" The questioning look again.

"I'm still trying to figure out my living situation to be honest. Lea and I really haven't discussed our expectations." I felt a sheepish grin cross my face.

"And I'm assuming she knows nothing about all of this right?" Sam's look was back to being critical. I tired not to show that it bothered me.

"Not yet Sam." I wanted my intentions made clear.

"Do you think she'll even be able to handle all of this if you told her?" Within our Tribe shape shifters are often spoken off and the concept wasn't as hard to grasp as one would think. Bella had known about Edward so hearing my secret hadn't been a shock, which was the same with Charlie. After Bella told him about her transformation, somehow his best friend's son being a giant wolf seemed to have far less impact. When I told her Lea would be the very first person outside of our crazy little world here that knew. Yet somehow I think she could handle it, or she might shoot me. I would deal with what happened when it came.

"You should speak to her sometime Sam. She has handled a lot in her life and she is strong. I think even our Leah likes her." A bitter smile crossed Sam's face at my words.

"Alright, and I would like to meet her. Maybe you could invite her over to have dinner with Emily and me sometime." Sam sighed loudly. "Anyway Jake don't forget, tomorrow at midnight. No excuses. I need my Beta there." I nodded.

"I promised Sam I'll come." He retuned my nod and this time when he turned he did shift. The huge black wolf spared a glance at me before running off into the night. I shifted back to my form, shaking, yawning. Lea was still going to be at work for hours, I trotted back up the beach wondering what to do with myself.

"Jake!" It was Quil. I changed direction and moved my speed up to a loping run, heading towards where his though had come from. "We were beginning to wonder if you were going to show up tonight."The forms of Quil's chocolate brown wolf and Embry's grey wolf broke through the forest to join me running.

"I've been busy."I said and thought no more, because I certainly didn't want the entire pack to know my business. Still laughter bounced back to me from both of my friend's thoughts.

"Busy… is THAT what they're calling it?"I leapt hard to the right side, colliding with Quil at his remark and sending us both sprawling, but it was a playful move and after a little growling and snapping we both stood back up, tails wagging in good humor.

"Why don't you guys come hang out back at my house… um I mean Lea's place."I corrected myself, realizing this was a conversation I was going to have to have with her. It just lead to looks exchanged between my friend's and I growled lightly at the amount of teasing I felt I was going to be in for.

"Sure Jake we'll meet you at YOUR house, just let us grab some proper attire first"I could hear the chuckle in Embry's thoughts to me now. My ears pressed back against my head, as I turned away annoyed.

"Fine I'll meet you assholes there."Another burst of thought laugher from them both as I speed off. I forced myself to stop the trail of profanities that wanted to shoot back at them, honestly surprised I hadn't heard any smartass remarks from anyone else in the pack.

"Why should we work hard at it, Quil and Embry were doing just fine making you look stupid without our help.Why should I not be surprised he would reply?

"Fuck you Paul."I was nearly to Lea's and shifted back to my human form before he could answer. I stomped through the woods, wondering why everyone treated my life like some big fucking joke. I pulled on my shorts and grabbing my keys out of my pocket, letting myself in the back door. I turned on lights in the kitchen. Grabbing some left over chicken from dinner that night and a couple of beers for me and my friend's.

Embry and Quil walked in moments later, both now with cut off shorts on too. "You know man you shouldn't let Paul get to you so much. If you ignored him he would stop." Embry, always the sensible of the three of us, both crossed and flopped down in empty kitchen seats, hungry eyes looked at the chicken.

"I got it out for all of us." I laughed at the joy that crossed their faces, we all turned surprised when there was a knock at the door. "That better not be fucking Paul." I stood and walking to the door opened it, surprised to see Seth outside.

"So is this like a private party or is any wolf welcome to join?" His nose twitched even as he spoke and I saw his gaze turn towards the food that Embry and Quil were already eating.

"Come in Seth." I stepped back, allowing the younger man to enter.

"Thanks Jake! Nice place you got here." I growled at the smartass remark. He just grinned and moved over to occupy the last empty seat.

"No beer for you thought Seth; I'll get you a Coke because if I let you drink your Sister will tear my ass apart." I walked over to the fridge. The younger wolf whined, but didn't protest. We all sat around the table, focusing on eating and drinking for a few moments. Finally Quil broke the silence.

"So no lie Jake, this entire fucking house reeks of you now, what is going on?" Quil had always been the gossip of our group. I took a swig of beer.

"Things are… good." I bit into a large chicken breast, every other man in the room stared at me like they were waiting for me to say more.

"Wait that's it. You're good? Jake you have went from being one of the most moody, depressed people I know to this… I don't think that explanation covers it." Suddenly I regretted inviting Seth inside.

"What do you want a bunch of mushy bullshit from me? I'm not fucking Edward Cullen I'm not going to start spouting poetry or something." Seth frowned a little at my reply but didn't rebuke my remark.

"Fuck poetry Jake, we want dirty details, have you and Lea slept together?" Quil leaned forward a little, chicken thigh in hand. I understood this line of questioning. Usually I was the first to give vivid, descriptive detail on almost all my conquests. But it had been easy talking about those women; I didn't care about them at all. Lea was different. She was mine and I didn't want all my friend's picturing what I did privately with her.

"Fuck you guys that's none of your fucking business." They all burst out laughing, my beer slowly lowered to the table from my lips confused why they found this so amusing.

"So in other words you have." Embry slapped my shoulder. "We get it man, don't worry about it. If I had someone I really cared about I wouldn't want you assholes to have every detail of our lives either." My friend's got it. I appreciated that. I grinned at Embry.

"Just know, it's good and I'm happy."

"Fuck that Jake, all I need to know is you make Lea happy and she makes all of us food!" Quil and Seth clinked drinks cheerfully. I rolled my eyes throwing a few chicken bones onto the swiftly emptying plate in the center of the table.

"So if you're officially off the market does that mean you won't be joining us when we go out this week? Sam is going to hyper training mode, but has promised us one night downtime midweek and Quil and I are taking advantage of it!" Embry's smile was infectious and really with Lea working evenings, I had no reason not to go out with them. I had to be able to have a good time without picking up someone random.

"Fuck that! I deserve some time with my boys too! I mean my life can't be all work and no play right!" I slammed down my drink for emphasis. Somehow none of the other men at the table looked too convinced to my convection.

"Somehow I doubt your life is all work Jake, but you need to come out with us, so I have someone to laugh with when Quil strikes out time and time again after he loses you as wingman." Embry smirked at Quil, who slugged his shoulder with a frown.

"Fuck you Em! When is the last time YOU got laid?" Embry grew quiet looking away from the table for a moment.

"I wasn't the topic of conversation Quil, Thanks." Tension built a little. Seth gave me a helpless look, a growl left my throat and both my friend's looked up surprised.

"Fuck this tonight is about having fun, because tomorrow night we are going to be working our asses off at pack stuff." I grabbed one of the last pieces of chicken. "So no more bitching!"

"Jake that coming from you is almost laughable." Quil was back to smirking at least, the agitation gone from his face.

"Laughable huh?" I stood, my posture taking a combative stature, but my expression showing the joking nature of my attitude. Quil's chair scrapped back as he too stood. We both rushed forward, each pushing trying to unbalance the other. We could hear the whoops and cheers from Embry and Seth, both going back and forth about who was going to win. Things around the room clattered and fell and something broke. Lea was gonna kill me, but fuck this was fun.

I was loving life.

AN: I really can't express enough thanks for the amount of kind reviews I got on the last chapter! Everyone reading this story is awesome! I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much!