I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT WHAT SO EVER! STEPHANIE MEYER RIGHTFULY GETS ALL THE CREDIT! I OWN NOTHING!

What's up, people! I have to tell you before you read this chapter that it's back in Jake's POV. It's not in Quil's POV like I told you guys that I might do. I don't think I'll do any of the pack's POV in this story. I want to leave you guys in suspense as to what Alex has caused back home…*MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!* I know. I'm mean. But don't worry. They'll pop back up again, only later in the story. THANK YOU AND REVIEW!

Chapter 10

Family

My cheeks flushed as Edward continued to stare at me like he was going to pounce on me at any second. I fidgeted self-consciously as he stared at me, unmoving. It was like he was in a state of rigor mortis. It was extremely unnerving.

"E-E-Edward?" I called out, my voice breaking in intervals. "Are we leaving anytime soon?"

My voice seemed to snap him out of some sort of trance. He blinked slowly as he shook his head softly.

"I'm sorry, Jake," he muttered as he pointedly escaped looking directly at me. "I was thinking of something."

As he shifted in his seat, I caught the faint smell of arousal. I looked quickly out my window so that he couldn't see my burning face.

"Jacob," I heard Edward all but breathe my name. I turned back around to find Edward just inches from my face. I jumped back instinctively, a gasp escaping my lungs. My face burned even hotter as I looked into his darkening topaz gaze. I couldn't help but wonder what color his eyes were before he was turned.

"Emerald green," Edward answered my thought with a whisper.

For a split second, I pictured Edward as a one hundred percent, complete human. I pictured him with his bronze hair in disarray and messy. His skin, no longer a pale white pallor, but with a few hints of blush on his cheeks and the tip of his nose. I jumped slightly when Edward placed his palm on my cheek, but I didn't flinch back.

My eyes fluttered as he leaned in close, his lips just inches from mine, his icy breath caressed my lips, sending prickles running up and down my spine. Is this what he meant when he said he needed me? Like a lover?

"Yes," he breathed again, his lips brushing just over mine. I took in a quick breath, his icy scent overtaking my lungs like fresh peppermint and like a waterfall, all sensibility crashed down on me.

I snarled as I pushed Edward away from me. Not expecting my sudden change in attitude, Edward collided into the door. The plastic cracked and bent to accompany his solid form. I leaned as far away from him as possible, my lips still curled over in disgust.

"Don't ever do that again," I hissed. I scrubbed at my lips with the back of my hand like Edward's lips were laced with germs.

"I'm sorry," Edward gasped out quickly. I glared at him as he moved back into his seat. He didn't look at me as I growled lowly in my chest. "I'm sorry," he muttered again, but it sounded like he sounded more to himself than to me. We stayed inside the car for a few more awkward moments before he sighed and grabbed the leash. I watched with narrowed eyes as he hooked the catch on my collar. Without a word, he opened the door and stepped out of the car, closing the door behind him.

I used the few seconds I had to collect myself and my thoughts. I let out a breath that I wasn't even aware I was holding. What the hell was wrong with me? Why didn't I shove Edward away the minute he was mere millimeters from my face? It would seem like I was on drugs with the way my body reacted to his close proximity. I couldn't understand why my heartbeat slowed and then sped up and why sudden heat rushed throughout my body like molten lava. I felt a hint of, dare I say it, arousal, spike my senses. I couldn't understand any of it.

I steeled my expression as my door swung lightly open. Edward reached in and grabbed the lead of the leash. He lightly tugged on it. I reluctantly stepped out of the car as Edward closed it gently behind me.

"Jacob," Edward spoke up. He looked me dead in the eye, his expression serious. "You're about to meet my family again after five years. I'm okay with you addressing me as Edward in privacy. You are mine so I make the rules. But, you are to remain kneeling unless it's just you and me in our own privacy. Understand?"

I nodded hesitantly before getting down on my hands and knees before him. Without a word, we made our way to the front door of the house. Before we made it to the front door, it swung open to a man I've never seen before in my life, his head bowed in deep respect. I sniffed the air around him and the fresh scent of human wafted through my nostrils.

"Thank you, Darrick," Edward smiled politely.

Darrick nodded in acknowledgement. "You're welcome, Sir," he muttered softly before closing the heavy wooden door. My eyes took in the sight of what appeared to be the sitting area. The furniture was all white. The carpet was a plush crème color. To the right was the large kitchen. A huge island was centered in the room. The countertops seemed to be made of black granite with large crystals embedded into the surface. The walls were painted a light tan.

"Anybody home?" Edward called out, and like a bell, the room was full of vampires.

The first one I noticed was the doctor, Carlisle. He greeted his son with open arms and a wide smile.

"Edward!" he greeted with warmth as he embraced his son.

"Carlisle," Edward greeted politely. He looked down at me with Carlisle following the gesture.

It was odd, to say the least. Meeting someone you knew and haven't seen for five years. It was especially odd because in this case, this man was half responsible for my current predicament. I still couldn't completely grasp how Carlisle could do this. I mean, sure, I could picture Rosalie doing this to my kind, and maybe Jasper, but Carlisle? It was utterly inconceivable.

"Jacob," Carlisle spoke softly as he looked down at me with kind eyes. My thoughts jumbled at his calm and soothing demeanor. My head screamed questions at me, asking once again why Carlisle would start a war. He seemed unchanged after not seeing each other for five years. His voice was mellow and composed. His face didn't have one angry or vengeful line on his face. His eyes, which were surprisingly still a rich butterscotch color, were bright and clear, not darkened red with conceit and hatred. Which brought back the question: What in hell brought this man to such an extreme?

"Jacob?" Edward called softly as he lightly tugged on the leash to get my attention.

I shook my head as I averted my eyes to the floor. I gave a slight courtesy nod in Carlisle's direction. "Sir," I muttered.

"Jacob, look at me," Carlisle said.

I raised my eyes to meet his considerate ones. He shook his head softly at me. "Address me as Carlisle. Please. I don't want to hear Sir leave your lips ever when you talk to me. Okay?"

I nodded dumbly at his assertion. Carlisle smiled at that.

"It's been a while," Carlisle continued. "I'm honored to see you again."

I didn't say anything. I just looked away from the very humanlike vampire in front me, unable to look him the eyes for too long. I heard small footsteps approach us then. I glanced up to find Carlisle's wife and mate, Esme, walking towards us with a large smile. I wondered vaguely if she had anything to do with the start of the war. I immediately dismissed the thought. Esme was too sweet and caring to start anything violent. The again, I thought the same thing for Carlisle and look where that wound me up.

Esme pulled Edward in for a large hug before kissing him on the cheek. "How are you, Edward?" she asked.

Edward smiled as he returned the hug. "I'm wonderful, Esme. Thank you for asking."

Esme pulled away from him and looked at me. She held her hands out towards me but glanced at Edward. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward nod once. Esme pulled me to my feet by my arms and pulled me in for a hug. I stood still for a second, unsure of what to make of this.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Jacob," Esme spoke in her silver-laced voice. "Really, it is." Esme pulled away slightly before flippantly squeezing my arms in greeting. She dropped her hold on me before steeping beside her husband, who in turn wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Edward!" a large voice boomed out. I didn't need to look to know that it was Emmett who had spoken. I watched as the mammoth of a vampire pull his smaller brother in for a hug. "It's been a while. You should visit more often. Things get so boring around here without you."

Edward rolled his eyes as he was put back down. "It's only been three weeks, Emmett. I'm sure things haven't gotten that dull."

Emmett shook his head, his face suddenly serious. "You're wrong," Emmett said, his voice sending deep vibrations through my chest. "The only exciting thing there is to do is to wrestle Jasper, and even that is getting boring as shit."

"Emmett," Esme warned in a stern voice. "Language."

Emmett grinned widely at her, his dimples popping into his alabaster skin. "Sorry, Ma." Emmett turned to look behind him. My eyes followed his before narrowing.

Rosalie's cold red orbs were staring me down, but instead of her customary scowl on her pretty face, a large, snarky smirk was in place on her cold lips. I rolled my eyes in frustration. I didn't need Edward's power to know what she was thinking. Here I was before her, on my knees and a collar locked on my throat with a leash attached. I knew I looked like a dog in her eyes and I was waiting for the brutal onslaught of mutt comments to start. I quickly scrambled in my head different blonde jokes to be tucked and stored away for later, ready to be whipped out like a weapon and counterattack.

"Rose," Edward muttered. I glanced up at him to find a small grimace on his face. I could only imagine what he was hearing from Rose's head.

Rosalie turned her attention to Edward, her eyes lighting up slightly as she regarded her brother. "Edward," Rosalie acknowledged him politely. "I'm glad to see you again. And I see that you've brought a new pet and fuck toy home for your entertainment."

My eyes bulged as Esme hissed sharply at Rose. I growled low in my throat as my surprise wore off. I scrambled for a good blonde joke to use on her. It seemed like Edward beat me to the punch, though.

I watched, astounded, as Edward's face broke into an easy grin. He regarded Rosalie calmly before saying, "Rose, what do twenty blondes standing ear-to-ear make?"

I watched with pleasure as Rose's smirk slowly dropped from her face.

Edward shrugged. "A wind tunnel."

I laughed loudly as Rosalie hissed violently at Edward before vanishing to another part of the house. Emmett sighed before running after his wife.

"I'm glad to see some things haven't changed," a voice said with a hint of Southern twang. I watched as Jasper crossed his arms and nodded at Edward in greeting. "Hello, Edward. Haven't seen you around here for a little while."

"Jasper," Edward greeted.

Jasper turned his attention to me. I shivered as I took in his burning red eyes. I don't know what it was about Jasper, but there was always something about him that caught my attention. It could have been his honey drenched voice, his Southern charm, or just his power. There was always something just…irresistible about him that I couldn't quite grasp.

"Jake," he nodded towards me and it reminded me of a cowboy tipping his hat to a lady on the street. My cheeks flushed at the gesture.

"Jacob!" a tinkling bird voice yelled. I flinched as tiny arms lifted me off the ground completely and twirled me in a hug. I gasped at the sudden movement. The leash was ripped out of Edward's grasp as Alice twirled into fast circles. I closed my eyes tightly as my stomach gave a violent jerk.

"Alice!" Edward yelled, his voice coated in concern. "Put him down! You're going to make him throw up!"

Alice huffed, but listened to his commands. Suddenly, I was dropped back to my feet. I wobbled as I tried to regain my equilibrium. Cold arms wrapped around my waist as I tried to steady myself. I shook my head as I leaned back gratefully against Edward, thankful just this once for his support.

"I'm glad to see you too, Alice," I said softly, my head was still reeling from the spinning. Edward gently laid a palm against my heated forehead. I smiled weakly as the coldness of his skin offered me some stability.

Thank you, I thought softly.

"Any time," he said, his voice so soft that it was meant for my ears only.

I opened my eyes to find Alice running towards Edward with a large smile on her slender face. Edward held up one hand to stop her where she was.

"I'm glad to see you too, Alice," Edward spoke quickly. "There's no need to twirl me into a circle as well."

Alice pouted as she crossed her tiny arms in front of her chest. She looked like someone just stole her favorite candy right from her hand. I almost smiled at that. Jasper chuckled as he pulled Alice into his chest, his long arms wrapping themselves around her in a loving gesture. He bent his head so that his lips were close to her ear and whispered soft words that seemed to pull Alice out of her pout.

"Edward? Jacob?"

I felt Edward tighten his arms around my midsection protectively. I glanced over my shoulder to find a vision of mahogany curls and maroon orbs. My breath hitched as my long lost love stepped forward with an elegance that just wasn't Bella.

I waited for that familiar twinge of pain to pierce my heart and that undeniable sense of longing to tug at my body like a steel cord, but it never came. I only found disgust for the creature that I once loved, knowing, and gratefully admitting to the fact that I'll never feel that spark that was once between us.

Edward seemed to have a similar reaction to mine. I physically felt him pull me away from her slightly, almost as if he was shielding me from her. I saw that his lips were pulled into a small snarl, his teeth glinting in the overhead lights. His eyes narrowed in what seemed to be anger and spite. His body tensed as if he was ready to spring at the girl he loved. Or better yet, used to love.

I couldn't make sense of his reaction towards her. I remembered distinctly how they reacted towards each other. Edward said in so little words that he was willing to die for Bella if that was what she asked for. But, looking at his enraged figure right now, it looked like he was ready to harm Bella himself if given half a chance. What happened to the love that I wanted so badly to be put out towards me from Bella instead of Edward?

Edward told me that they fell out of love with each other. I could understand that. It's happened before. But shouldn't there be something between them after what they've been through? Some kind of compassion or friendship or in the very least, tolerance?

Bella sighed as she stopped walking forwards. She regarded Edward with a pleading look on her face, but Edward seemed to ignore it, glaring heatedly at her.

"Edward, please. I—"

"You've already spoken your peace," Edward growled. I shivered as I heard the anger evident in his voice. "It's best to just forget it and go on with our lives."

Bella shook her head in frustration. She opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut by Edward's sharp bark.

"I have nothing to say to you. And unless you want take back what you did, I want nothing to do with you, either." His sharp words ended the conversation between them. I wondered what the hell they could possibly be talking about, but I was drawing a blank.

Bella's eyes turned to me then. I glanced accusingly at her. I still couldn't get how she could put me through all the fucked up shit and totally disregard it in the end. I would never forgive her for it.

"Jake," Bella spoke softly. I stared her down from the corner of my eye, not wanting to give her my full undivided attention. "For what it's worth, I am sorry for everything I did to you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

I didn't say anything as I looked pointedly away from her, telling her everything she needed to know silently. My forgiveness would not be offered so willingly. She had to work at it for me to even consider the possibility.

Bella sighed heavily before turning towards the front door.

"Carlisle, Esme. Thank you for having me this evening. I hope that you'll have me again." She glanced wearily at Edward, but he decided that the opposite wall was more interesting than the current topic at hand.

"Of course, dear," Esme spoke softly. "You can come over anytime you'd like. You're always welcomed over here."

Bella smiled sadly before walking out the door. "Goodbye, everyone. Edward. Jake."

Edward pretended to not even hear her.

I sighed heavily as I sagged against Edward's frame. I leaned my head on his shoulder, not even caring that he was touching me or I him. I just welcomed his touch as Edward sighed softly next to my ear. There was one chapter of my life down and over with.

I hope you guys liked this chapter:) It seems like Jake is starting to have some feelings towards Edward and he doesn't seem to know what to make of them. My poor baby is confused:( And it seems like there's some drama between Edward and Bella. What could have possibly happened between them to make Edward so spiteful towards her? And is Carlisle really so mean that he started a war? Why in the hell am I asking these questions? Why are you still reading this? REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

THANK YOU! XD