Chapter 11:

Bella POV:

I walked to the back door to head out to the garage. I had some sandwiches, a couple of apples, and a couple of cans of Pepsi with me on a tray. I loved spending time with Jake in the garage. Talking with him, watching him work . . . with his shirt off . . .

I balanced the tray and opened the back door, went through and closed it. That's when I heard the fighting. Who is that? Sam?

I had never heard Jacob fight with Sam - or any other members of the pack. Well, except Paul. Paul was always fighting with someone. But not like this. This was different. I made my way to the garage and stopped in the doorway.

I heard Jacob telling him what had happened between me and Edward. Why? Why are you telling him this? Then he explained how he and Carlisle had taken care of it. Sam screamed at Jacob about being the Alpha, took off, and then Jacob threw a wrench right through the garage wall and screamed, "DAMNIT!"

He looked over and saw me then closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. I could see his hands shaking from his rage. He hung his head then said, "God, Bella. I'm sorry." He turned around and went over to the bench where his tools were then put his hands on the bench and leaned into it. He just stood there with his head down.

I set the tray down, not sure what to do. "Jake? I asked quietly.

"Just give me a minute to calm down."

I stood there hurting for him. I knew he wanted more time. He didn't ask to be a werewolf, let alone the Alpha of the pack. He never really wanted any of this. And now, because of me . . .

He turned around and leaned back against the bench. I walked over and put my arms around his waist and laid my head on his chest. He hesitated, then put his arms around me and leaned down to put his face against my hair. We stood there for a while, just being with each other. His breathing calmed and the shaking finally stopped.

"I'm so sorry, Jake. I know you wanted more time to make the decision about being Alpha," I said.

"Bella, don't. What's done is done. We'll deal with it, OK?"

Then his stomach growled. I smiled, pulled back and looked up at him. "I do have sandwiches. Want one?"

He leaned down and kissed me. "I want more than a sandwich, but I guess that will have to do for now," he said as he let me go with a grin.

"Is that all you ever think about?" I asked as I walked over to get the lunch tray.

"Pretty much, yeah. I'm a guy, Bells. Food and sex are pretty much all we think about."

"Well, here's your food," I said as I handed him a sandwich. "As for the other, I'll see what I can do about that . . . later." I looked at him and smiled.

He took a big bite out of the sandwich and grinned.

Jacob POV:

Later that day, I was sitting out in back of the house on a log by the firepit. After I had finished the work on the truck, Bella and I took a ride on the motorcycle. It felt great flying down the roads of La Push with Bella's arms wrapped around me and her body pressed close to mine.

We just got back, and I found myself walking out here to sit and think. I kept thinking about the fight with Sam. I couldn't shake it. I knew he was right. I should have gone to him right away. I thought I could handle it. I'm not ready to be the Alpha. What was I thinking? At the time, in Cullen's office, I was just thinking about keeping Bella safe. I would do anything to make sure she was safe.

"Hey, there you are. You OK?" Bella came up behind me, put her arms around my neck, and rested her chin on my shoulder. "I came out of the bathroom, and you were gone."

"Just thinking about the fight with Sam," I answered.

"Oh. I thought maybe that was the case. Want me to go so you can think?" she asked as she stood up and started rubbing my shoulders.

"Not if you're going to do that. That feels great." I rolled my head to release some of the tension. I sat there quietly for awhile just enjoying the feeling of Bella's hands on my shoulders.

"I don't know what to do, Bella. I handled everything wrong. I think that proves I'm not ready for this yet. Do you think I'm ready? Does it matter that I feel this way? Maybe I should just quit being a whiny-ass baby and step up and do my job. Ahhhhh!" I shouted as I dropped my head into my hands. "I'm sick of thinking about this already. Why can't I make up my fucking mind?"

Bella came around and kneeled in front of me. "Jacob, I know this sounds corny, but this is your destiny. You didn't have a choice, you were born into it. You CAN do it, but you have to believe in yourself. Look, Sam was doing a great job, and I think he will keep doing it if that is what you want. Maybe you could ask him to, I don't know, to 'train' you or something. You will figure it out. And I will be here to support you either way." She took my face in her hands and kissed me softly.

"Thanks. But I don't think it's that easy. Sam is really pissed at me, and he should be. I don't know if he'll even talk to me."

"You'll never know until you try," she said. She was right. I hated that.

I decided while I had a little courage built up, I would head over and talk to Sam. Bella told me this was something I had to do on my own, so she got in the truck and headed home, telling me to call her later to let her know how it went. She was right. I should do this on my own. So, I went to Embry's, told him what was going on, and asked him to come with me. Chicken shit. Of course he agreed. He was hoping to see Sam kick my ass. Some best friend.

We phased and ran to Sam's. On the way, we "talked" about me being Alpha. I wanted to be able to step up and take the responsibility for my dad. I knew it was expected of me, and it would make him proud. But I still felt that I was not ready to lead.

"Look, bro, you know I'm with you. I think you can do it. Just quit being such a chicken shit about it."

"Funny, that's just what I called myself when I decided to make you come with me to talk to Sam."

"Yeah, I know you too well."

He was right. He did know me too well. I thought that Seth, Quil and Leah would be OK with it too. But Paul and Jared would side with Sam. I really did not want to see a split in the pack.

We phased back into human form when we were near Sam's. We pulled our shorts on, and headed for the house from the back. Sam was outside, splitting wood. "He's armed with an ax. Great time for a chat, dude," Embry said with a laugh.

I shot a look at him. "Yeah, great."

Sam looked up and saw us. CRACK! He slammed the ax down onto a log and it split in two. "That wasn't dramatic at all," Embry commented.

Sam slammed the ax into a log and left it there as he wiped the sweat from his face with his t-shirt. He looked up as we got closer and said, "To what do I owe the honor of your visit, O Great One."

Embry started to laugh until I elbowed him in the side. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.

"Look, Sam. We need to talk."

Sam crossed his arms over his chest. "Sure, fine. Talk." This was going to be fun.

I put my hands on my hips, and looked down. I had no idea how to start. Embry finally whispered, "Hey, Jake. I think he's waiting for you to start."

I glared at Embry then I turned to Sam. "I'm sorry, Sam. I was way out of line. I should have come and talked to you first about what happened. I should never have told Dr. Cullen that I was the Alpha. I was trying to protect Bella, and I just did it without thinking it through."

Sam just stood there. Still as a stone. Is he even listening?

I went on. "I know that it is my 'destiny' or whatever to be the Alpha, but . . . I don't know that I'm ready. I think I showed that by being such an asshole."

Sam snorted. OK, that's some kind of reaction. I guess he is listening.

"I don't ever want there to be a split in the pack, with two wolves trying to lead, making the rest choose who to follow. That's not right." I stopped and took a deep breath. "I'm here to ask you to remain as Alpha and help me learn how to be the leader that I need to be," I finished. Whew!

"So, let me get this right," Sam started. "You decided to stand up and take Alpha, but you got scared and now you come running to me to bail you out. That about it?" I think it sounded better the way I put it.

"Well . . . um I . . ." I stammered like an idiot. Then I looked at him and saw the big grin on his face.

"You are an asshole, but you're lucky I like you," he said. "Yeah, you fucked up. Big time, Jake. Not so much by 'taking' the position, but by not talking to me right away when this happened. You can't keep things from me. I can't lead and make decisions if I don't know what is going on. But you are right about one thing. Being the Alpha is YOUR destiny, not mine. I'm just doing it until you are ready. I have always known that. But, man, we have to talk. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it," I said quietly.

"If you want to step up, fine. But you can't be whining around like a baby wondering if you're ready or not. You may never be ready. You think I was ready for this? Hell, no! But you just do it. It's like being a dad. You think when Emily told me we were having a baby, I thought, "Oh good, I'm ready!" Shit! I don't know if I will ever BE ready. But I WILL do it. I will do it for Emily and this baby, because I love them, and I will do anything for them."

I nodded. "I get it, Sam." I took a deep breath. "I need to do this. Dad's been on my back long enough . . . it's time. You'll help me out, if I fuck up, won't you? I mean, isn't that the Beta's job?"

Sam laughed at that. "Yeah, sure, I got your back. There won't be a fight over this, Jake. It's yours. It always has been."

I looked him in the eye and said, "So, we good?" I put out my hand.

"We're good." He smiled as he took my hand and shook it then pulled me in for quick bro hug.

"Come on, guys. You're gonna make me cry here," Embry was saying as he was fake-crying.

"You had to bring him, didn't you?" Sam smiled as he shoved Embry, who was now cackling with laughter. Then he turned back to me and said, "OK Jake. Let's sit down and talk about patrols, and what we are going to do if those fucking blooksuckers from Italy decide to show their ugly faces around here."

I felt much better after my talk with Sam and couldn't wait to tell Bella. Of course, I had to tell Dad first. I walked through the door at home and hollered for him. "Here," he called back. He was in his den, carving.

I walked to the door and stood there for a moment taking in the smell of sawdust. When I was a kid, I loved that smell. I spent a lot of time in here with him, learning to carve. Of course, I wasn't as good as he was. I just didn't have the patience he did. "Hey, Dad."

He turned to me and smiled. "Come on in, son," he invited. I walked over and sat down on the extra stool and picked up a small scrap of wood that was laying on his work bench. He glanced over at me and asked, "So, what's up?"

"Well, I think I just did something that will make you very happy, old man."

He put down the wood he was carving, and looked at me suspiciously. "What would that be?"

I grinned. "You are looking at the Alpha male of the pack, Dad. I did it. Sam and I just talked."

His smile could have lit up a whole baseball stadium. It made me feel some pride to know that I could make him that happy.

Then I sobered as I said, "Yeah, but now I have to tell you why I did it." I told him the whole story, from what happened to Bella, to the conversation with Carlisle. "I know I didn't handle things right, and that's what I told Sam. He was pretty pissed at me, but after we talked, he agreed it was my 'destiny' or whatever and it was time for me to step up. He also promised he'd help me out and keep me in line."

Dad held out his hand to me and I took it. "I am proud of you, son. I know this isn't what you want, but it is yours by birthright. You were born for greatness, Jacob Ephraim Black, and I know you will do right by your people."

I just nodded because I was speechless due to the huge lump in my throat. I was terrified at the prospect of being the Alpha, but I knew now that I would do my best not only for the pack and the tribe, but for my dad.

Bella POV:

I was in the kitchen finishing up the supper dishes when I saw Jake drive in. I quickly wiped my hands as he knocked at the door. I whipped open the door and threw myself into his arms. I had been thinking about . . . well, our night together while I was washing dishes. I really wanted to feel his arms around me.

"Hey, baby, miss me?" he asked as he walked us through the door and closed it behind him.

I smiled and kissed him as my answer. "How did it go with Sam?"

"Good. Better than I expected really. I am the Alpha, but he promised he'd help me out when I fuck up. Which I'm sure will probably be sooner than later."

I smiled as I drew him down onto the couch beside me. "Come on, have a little faith in yourself."

"I do," he told me as he hauled me up next to him. "You should have seen Dad's face when I told him. Geez. At least I made one person happy." He told me all about what Billy had said, and how proud he actually felt to carry on the heritage.

"I'm proud of you, Chief," I said with a smile.

He rolled my eyes then asked, "Yeah? You ever make out with a Chief?"

I shook my head slowly as he leaned toward me. He stopped right before he touched my lips and asked, "Where's Charlie?"

I whispered, "County Council meeting. Until at least nine."

Jacob smiled and pulled back to look at the clock on the wall. I glanced, too, and saw it was only seven. I looked at him curiously as he took my hand and stood up. Then he surprised me by pulling me up and over his shoulder, fireman-style, and heading for the stairs.

"Jake!" I called out as he took the stairs two at a time.

He hurried to my bedroom and closed the door then deposited me on the bed. I grinned at him and sat up to unbutton my blouse as he ripped his t-shirt off over his head. The rest of our clothes quickly made a pile on the floor until we were both naked on my bed.

I reached up and ran my hand through his hair. "I have been thinking so much about this . . . kiss me, Jake," I commanded. His lips captured mine and I melted into his arms. Our lips moved and our tongues tangled as the heat built quickly between us. There was no taking it slow this time . . . we were both on fire and needed each other too much.

Jacob's hands found my breasts and he played with my nipple, rolling it and pinching it. I felt a shot of arousal go straight to my core. I bravely reached over and took him into my hand and heard him gasp as I stroked him and cupped him. I was so curious about how that felt for him, and what would really please him. But there wasn't time for that now. I needed him. I wanted him.

His lips had left mine and he was leaving a trail of hot wet kisses down my throat over my collar bone, to my chest and finally . . . yes. His tongue rolled over and around until he finally took the peak into his mouth. I bucked my hips involuntarily against him, trying to get closer to him. He played with one then the other until I was in a frenzy.

He finally got the hint and rolled on top of me. "Bella," he whispered as he stopped my entrance.

"Jake, now," I begged.

His lips ravished mine as he drove into me. Oh yes . . . . He picked up my leg and put it over his shoulder so he could go deeper and he pushed faster . . . it was sooo goood.

"Yes, baby," he whispered as I moved with him, meeting him stroke for stroke.

"Faster," I called. ''Faster . . . " He obliged and we picked up the pace until we were both panting for air. The pressure was building and building until finally . . . . I peaked and cried out. I felt him jerk as he hissed, "Oh yesssss . . . " and then we were spent.

We lay there together, trying to catch our breath when suddenly, Jake looked up and said, "God, Bella, I didn't think. Shit!" He rolled off of me.

I turned to him and asked quickly, "What? Jake? What's wrong?"

"I had condoms . . . in my wallet. God, I'm so stupid!" He smacked his forehead in anger. "Last time, I wasn't ready . . . I didn't expect it . . . "

I smiled and took his hand away from his face. "Jacob, look at me." I pulled his face toward me. "It's OK. There was this doctor in Phoenix, Renee took me and wanted me to go on the pill before I moved here." I saw his look and added, "Yeah, I don't know why. Her motherly duty, I guess. Anyway, he did an exam and told me I have some weird kind of uterus or something. He thinks . . . well, he told me that it would be difficult for me to get pregnant. Not impossible . . . just difficult. So I left without the pill, realizing I didn't really need it."

I could see the concern on his face. "Bella, I'm sorry. I know you talked the other night . . . like maybe you might want to have kids someday."

I gave him a sad smile. "Yeah, I think I would like that. But when the time comes, we can see some fertility doctor or something and figure it out, OK?"

He pulled me down to settle on his shoulder and his hand wound into my hair. "Yeah, definitely."

We lay there together for awhile, just enjoying being together so intimately. The last time, I had rushed away too soon and . . . well, I shoved that from my mind as the scar on my neck started to burn.

After awhile, I leaned over and put a kiss onto his chest and ran my hand gently over his stomach. I noticed him grow a little larger as my fingers swept over him. It wasn't long until he was fully erect, and I reached out curiously. I touched the tip and noticed it was so soft. I ran my finger around the tip and down the length of his shaft and heard him hiss at my touch.

I continued my exploration and enjoyed the feeling of being able to arouse him like he did me. I was still new to this, and I wanted to know everything. His hand tightened in my hair and he tugged as I held him in my hand and pulled. "Bella," he growled a warning.

I smiled and pulled again and again until I found myself flat on my back with Jake heaving over me. "You are playing with fire, little girl."

I grinned, "Do I look scared?"

He smiled and crushed his lips on mine as he drove into me. I was wet and ready and it felt so good. I was starting to feel like such a slut. Who knew I would like this so much? I moaned as he moved faster and faster until . . . sweet bliss. "Oh my God. Jake," I panted, "I'm such a slut."

He laughed as he propped himself up on his elbows to look down at me. "Why would you call yourself a slut?"

"Because, Jake, I like this. A LOT."

He chuckled and said, "Really? Good to know, because I plan on doing this . . . A LOT." We both laughed as he rolled over and took me with him. I couldn't imagine anything better.