Jacob

I sighed, walking onto the over luscious campus of UAA. The air was crisp and cold, nothing unexpected of course when you live in Alaska.

Alaska. The coldest, darkest place I could think of – perfect match for my mood, my life…my life without her.

Billy, my father had insist that I restart my life by enrolling into school this year and pursue a degree in something.

But, I wasn't ready to move on… it's been only four years since… since Bella had left my life. I had explained this to my father many times over that we can't give up, that she's still worth looking for, but he just shook his head and said that the discussion was over.

Honestly, many of my friends and family – hell, even Charlie, her own father, have told me that it's time to let go… that she wasn't with us anymore and that she would want me to… move on. But see, I wasn't able to; Bella was in my thoughts everyday, every second.

There was just something inside me that wouldn't squash the idea of Bella being gone… forever.

That's because she wasn't.

I ran my rough hands through my dark shaggy hair and stepped inside of the open spaced library – there were still a book that I need to acquire before my class begun.

I squinted around the library and noticed a small desk off in the corner labeled, "Student Help Area". I snorted, I already hated this place.

I approached the small help desk with a petite looking woman sitting behind it.

She looked up at me, her neck craning. I chuckled inwardly; the last four years have made me taller, more muscular.

"Yes?" She asked, noticing the piece of paper I was fidgeting around with that I had pulled from my back pocket.

"Uh, yeah… I need the book for Chemistry 130, section 1221." She nodded, stepping towards an overgrown bookshelf that resided behind her desk. She then continued to run her petite fingers down and across the bookshelf until she came upon the book she was looking for.

"Ah ha!" She exclaimed, making her way back to where I was standing.

"Will this be for the whole semester, Mr…?"

"Black… Jacob Black." She nodded, jotted down a few notes and proceeded to hand over the worn book.

"Great! Just take good care of it and return in when the semester is over." I smiled and nodded at her, acknowledging her words. Book in hand; I head towards the glass doors, with slow, dreaded steps.

I was not looking forward to this day at all.

Sighing, I put my hand on the handle and pushed open the door, however, I got knocked to the ground by something hard – and cold.

"Oomph!" I said as I hit the ground hard. Trying to get my thoughts together, I looked upward to see what the hell I ran into… an ice sculpture, maybe? Jesus.

However, much to my surprise, a woman, with her back turned towards me was what had thrown me from my path. I was about to ask her what the hell happened when a boy who looked too young to attend college, held out his hand for me.

"Sorry about that." I grabbed his welcoming hand – it was cold as the weather had been.

"I… uh, no problem…" I was about to ask him what was the deal with his friend, but his slightly intense gaze somehow intimated me and the tension was growing slightly uncomfortable.

"Man, your hands are freezing!" I exclaimed, trying to keep the conversation light, he just chuckled.

"Well, this is Alaska my friend." I laughed along with him, feeling the tension slowly evaporate.

"I guess your right…" I once again looked over to the girl who I had bumped into, but the boy stood in front of her as if he was trying to shield her from me.

"Uh, tell your friend that I'm sorry." I said, gesturing towards the brunette. He reached out his hand towards her and her hand immediately closed in around his.

"Will do, she's just a bit, uh shy." I nodded, not really understanding.

"No problem… anyways, I've got to get to class, nice meeting you…?" I asked, deciding to continue to be somewhat polite.

"Edward, Edward Cullen." He answered back just as politely.

"Jacob, but you can just call me Jake." He smiled. "Well, I won't keep you Jake, enjoy class." I gave a snort of sorts and headed out the door into the bitter cold air, taking one last glance at the brunette. Her back was still turned and her body was stiff as a board.

I just shook my head… women.

Bella

I knew, I knew I couldn't do it… I was only on campus for five minutes when I got the urge to bite him. He smelled… mouth watering, delicious and familiar.

Familiar I'm not sure quite how… but his scent… woodsy, musky and pine felt like… like home. It was an odd feeling, but it made my mouth water and my heart ache all at the same time.

Edward of course took notice of stature when the man had fallen to the ground and stepped in between me and my would be victim. I had accidentally bumped into him, my normal human senses gone, as I was completely memorized by his scent. I sent him flying to the floor; his scent whirled around me in powerful waves. A low growl formed in my throat and I immediately turned my back to him.

You will not do this Bella, you are strong. Edward is here, he will take care of everything. Control yourself.

I didn't breathe through Edward's and the stranger's exchange for I feared that his luscious scent would tempt me beyond my control. I stayed with my back turned towards the two men until I felt Edward's hand reach around for mine and I instantly wrapped my hand within his.

--You're doing fine my Bella.

I'm scared Edward… his scent is mouthwatering. I want to bite.

He squeezed my hand even tighter.

--I won't let you, I love you.

And with that I felt Edward's hand drop from mine and a soft gust of wind fly through my hair as the man named Jake left the library. I didn't dare take a breath till I was sure he was gone – I wasn't going to risk anything.

Edward seemed to notice my position as he leaned down to my ear and spoke softly.

"It's okay Bella, I can't smell him anymore… breathe, Love." I did as I was told, I wish I hadn't though – new tempting scents filled my nose. I crinkled my nose in frustration; Edward responded by placing a soft kiss upon my nose.

"You'll get use to it. Soon they'll all smell like air fresheners… simple as that." I laughed softly; only Edward would compared my internal battle to something so trivial like air fresheners.

When I was done laughing, I could notice a few heads turn and look towards Edward and I. I looked at Edward questioningly and he grasped my hand in response.

--The men and women are fascinated by how beautiful you are.

I raised an eyebrow.

Really?

He chuckled in response.

--Oh Bella, you really don't realize just how breathtaking you are, do you?

I was about the response to Edward's over loving comment when I heard a familiar voice clear their throat. I looked up and noticed Alice getting up from one of the overplushed chairs and dance her way towards us; however I notice a slight tremble in her step.

A few moments earlier, while Edward were on our way to our first class, Alice had placed a call to Edward on his cell; she said that there was something of importance that she needed to discuss with the both of us.

As soon as she was in earshot I hissed, "What's wrong Alice, we're going to be late for our first class!" She shook her head at me nodding towards the crowd of students. Edward took notice of our conversation, opened the door and motioned us outside.

"Well, what is it Alice?" He asked, impatiently, his arms crossed – she's been reciting the Japanese Alphabet in her mind ever since she's called him.

She sighed hesitantly.

"It'll be better if I can show you… both." She reached out her hand for mine and Edward automatically grabbed my other one – tingles secretly ran down my spine. I squeezed his hand in response.

--What was that for?

I shrugged.

Because I love you and you make me crazy.

He chuckled and gave me my favorite lopsided grin. However, his pleasant face that I loved was soon interrupted by Alice's disturbing images and thoughts.

I saw me, running into a man, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Bella?" He asked questioningly in a surprised tone. I stood there, eyes wide, my breathe hitched – I knew this scent, it was the scent from earlier – the scent that almost ended the poor man's life earlier.

He had greedily wrapped me within his arms, the shock still apparent in my face.

I was alone, I kept search out for Edward, but he was nowhere to be found.

The man continued on, "Bella! Bella, my Bella! I've missed you… I knew you were…" but his strong voice was cut short of craving as my greedy teeth ripped into the soft, welcoming skin of his throat, his piercing screams gurgled by his own sweet blood.

I felt my hand being jerked away, "Enough! We've seen enough, Alice!" I heard Edward hiss, his normally calm manner completely gone.

I on the other hand wasn't able to move – this was going to happen, I was going to kill someone – someone who knew me, someone I cared for. But who was this man? I suddenly felt sick to my stomach and slid onto my knees into the freshly fallen snow.

I felt my body being picked up by my shoulders and my body being shaken.

"Bella! Bella, damn it look at me!" I fluttered my golden eyes open to see Edward standing in front of me, his eyes ablaze.

"I won't let that happen, do you hear me? I will not, Bella… I will protect you." He looked desperately towards Alice.

"Call Carlisle and tell him were headed home, we need to figure out who this man is and how he knows of Bella." Alice nodded quickly, her tiny hand already dialing a familiar number.

Overwhelmed with everything, I cradled into Edward's form and softly sobbed.

I was a murder, I want to kill him already today and it looked like I was going to get my chance.

I'm a cold-blooded killer.

Edward's voice soothed into my ear.

--You are not, you are my Bella. My Bella who wouldn't harm a fly.

"We're going to head home Love, we will figure everything out… let me deal with this." I sobbed even harder – the last thing I wanted to do was to involve the love of my life with my issues. However, he just held me tighter, kissed my forehead softly and started to walk off campus, towards our car.

After taking a few strides, Edward stopped abruptly and made a swift turn. Curiously, I raised my head to ask Edward what was wrong, but I felt his arms wrap even tighter around me and growled - Alice had just gotten off the phone with Carlisle and her face was blank, her mouth hanging slightly open.

"W…what is it Edward?" I asked, my words soft.

--We can't go home, Bella. We need to leave this place, now.

What? I don't understand. Edward, we need to go home and talk to Carlisle…

--We can't go home, Bella! Do you understand me? We have to leave Alaska.

"But… I don't… what's going on?" Edward set me down and took a step back from me; his face was smeared with pure anger as he said through gritted teeth.

"We have to leave Bella… now." I sighed, exasperated.

"Alice! What the hell is going on?" She looked nervously towards Edward and I saw him simply glare at her.

"She has to know, Edward!"

"Damn it! Someone tell me, or I'll go home myself and find out!" I growled under my breath and stomping my foot like a little child.

"Bella, no!" I heard Alice cry out. She took a step towards me and sighed.

"You can't… see, there's a complication." I looked at her quizzically.

"A complication?" She nodded and I heard Edward growl; Alice just hissed back.

"Yes, you see… remember how Carlisle said that James from the Denali clan hasn't been accounted for in a while?" My brow creased, trying to remember that one conversation that took place.

"I believe so, why?" Alice hesitated.

"Well, he's back." I shrugged, why did it matter?

"Isn't that happy news?" I asked, looking at Alice, her fingers twirling around nervously.

"Well, I… he… he knows of you Bella, he's… seen you before."

I looked at her with confusion, "Do I know him from my human life?"

"That's enough Alice! This isn't the time nor the place!" Edward hissed.

I turned around to face Edward, my face was drenched with anger – I was not a child, I was his equal, yet he still felt the need to keep things from me.

"You Edward, have no right to keep anything from me, I am not a child!" I hissed, under my breath, my long finger poking him square in the chest, causing him to stumble back a few feet.

"Now, tell me what's going on or I'll find out for myself." I said, one last final time, my arms crossed around my chest.

Edward glared at me, his eyes dark, "We leave Alaska, then I will tell you."

That was it.

The straw that broke the camel's back.

Obviously, I wasn't going to get any answers from Edward or Alice. I was done being treated like some little porcelain doll. I could handle whatever has come up – so I made a run for it, to my home – I needed to find out what the hell had everyone so… disturbed.

I could hear the worried calls of my beloved loved ones, Alice and Edward, but I wouldn't listen, I needed to know what was going on and if no one wasn't going to tell me, I was going to find out myself.