Rated M for Mature Content. 18 and older only please.

Guest asked "Jake can accept that the boyfriend is a vampire?" Jake hasn't phased yet so he doesn't know that Edward is a vampire. Also, I don't see how Jake has staked a claim on Bella...Aside from the best friend role…?? As for not being leery of Peter (Edward is far from intimidating to her) we will find out why she's so comfortable with him when I do a Peter POV. Also, I'm not sure what you mean about taking Edward's choice away...

I'm so glad this story is almost to 100 reviews! *SQUEE!* Thanks for all the love :)

Jake and I walked side by side down to the bonfire on First Beach as he chatted animatedly about my outfit and the car he was working on in the Taj. He never mentioned his strange behavior and neither did I. Billy and my dad were going to come down in a little while. My phone buzzed and I took it out of my Marvel purse, seeing that I had a text from Peter. He let me know he would see me later tonight and I wondered why. I usually didn't get back from La Push until late in the night, driving a drunk Charlie home. I didn't like driving the cruiser at all with those gadgets and the horsepower under the hood, but I didn't have much choice. He wouldn't be driving us.

"Who's that, Bells? Your boyfriend?" Jake asked tauntingly, a smile on his face, giving me the perfect opening.

I sighed. Here goes nothing.

Signing to him, I sat down on a hollowed out, old piece of driftwood by the breakwater. "That was Peter." At Jake's widening eyes, I nodded and signed his whole name. "Yes, Peter Whitlock." I explained the incidence from yesterday, leaving out the strange and other. I wasn't about to get accused of being insane by my best friend.

"So, he's your boyfriend now." Jake said, talking about Edward after I finished telling my story.

"Yeah, he is. He's so sweet and such a gentleman. I've never had a boyfriend before as you know. And guess what." I demanded.

Moving his hands and twisting his face dramatically for the sign, he asked, "What!?"

"I got my first kiss. My first real kiss, Jake!" I was so giddy, I felt almost ridiculous but not having any good experiences in that aspect ever before, I felt that I was entitled to be a little silly about it.

Jake's eyes widened and he pressed a gripping hand over his heart. "Oh God!" He cried. "Say it ain't so!"

I rolled my head back, shoulders shaking as I smiled widely at him. Nodding my head, I leaned close like I was telling a secret, even signing low in my lap. "He staked his claim at school for our second kiss. In front. Of. Everyone." I paused between each word so he could feel the heaviness of that sentence.

Staring at my hands a moment, Jake lifted his arm and I thought for sure he would pull me in for a hug. Instead, he used a big tanned hand to push my shoulder and I landed on my ass in the sand with my legs draped over the tree log. I glared at Jake who was laughing up a storm. I just sat there, wriggling my ankles waiting for the buffoon to pick me up. If I tried to get up on my own, I knew I would end up flashing the few people who were wandering around, getting ready for the bonfire.

Still laughing, Jake grabbed my hand and tugged me upright easily and I slapped his arm as I brushed the sand off my dress and fluffed it a bit. "Bellsey got herself a couple kisses. How sweet." He said as he ruffled the curls against my back. I stuck my tongue out at him then tugged him back toward the middle of the beach. "He better not hurt you. I'll have to kill him. Charlie knows where we can bury his body. You know he'll help me."

Oh God. "What is it with you and him making all the threats, hmm? Even if he does hurt me, that's apart of life. You should know that by now." I signed. Jake's eyes got serious and he tugged me to a stop.

"Normal hurt is apart of life, Bells. Heartbreak, a skinned knee when you fall off a bike, stubbing your toe…" His eyes hardened. "What you went through is not normal hurt. What you will go through is not normal hurt. You got handed a shit deal, Bells and me and your dad are here to make sure you get the most out of this life. You hear me?"

I gulped and nodded, feeling the large lump in my throat as it grew with my emotions. Jake pulled me in for a hug and I squeezed him back. When he pulled away, he leaned down to peck my lips but I turned my face so he kissed my cheek. Side eyeing me, he sighed.

"It's 'cause of the boyfriend, right?"

I nodded with a goofy smile. Pursing my lips, I signed, "These lips are all his now, bucko!"

Jake giggled and threw his arm around my shoulder as we started walking again. "So long as he knows I'm never going anywhere, he can have your lips. I get bestfriend rights."

I signed 'yes' enthusiastically with a big smile.

As we got closer and closer, Jake's mood turned sour and I looked ahead to see that the burly man, Sam, from Billy's was here. He was surrounded by three other large natives and Leah Clearwater. The only man I recognized was Embry Call and I nearly swallowed my tongue.

What happened to the skinny boy with long greasy hair and wide smile? This man was angry, his dark brows pulled low between his eyes as he stared stoically into the trees, his hair shorn down almost to his scalp. Leah looked my way and grimaced as Jake and I gave them a wide berth before she sat near her father, Harry and Old Quil. Sam watched her every move, as if she would disappear should he look away. The intense way he looked at her reminded me of how Edward looked at me.

I noticed Jake shivering as we plopped down on a thick striped blanket in the sand near Billy and Charlie, waving at them.

"Are you okay, Jake?" I signed to him, using my signature move for his name without the tongue lolling. He nodded soundlessly, keeping his eyes on the group of large men. I rubbed my open palm over his shoulders but he didn't feel cold to me so I wasn't sure why he was trembling. His black tee was stretched wide over his growing muscles and he wasn't wearing a sweatshirt so I thought he would be cold. Instead, my hand was met with an intense heat, almost as if he had a fever but his skin didn't feel clammy. "Are you sure? You're feeling kind of warm." I removed my hand from him so I could speak.

"I'm fine, Bella. Leave it alone." He snapped and I scooted away from him a bit, looking at him with raised eyebrows. His mood swings were giving me whiplash. I decided that I would leave him to his thoughts. When I turned to look at the fire again, I noticed that Sam and one of the others had their eyes on Jake.

As Billy started speaking, he gained the attention of the small group gathered and I listened with rapt attention as he told the stories of the Quileute Legends. I'd heard them before but I had never really put much stock into them. After what Charlie said at the Cullens about Billy's warnings, I found myself fascinated as I connected all the dots.

I already knew the Cullens were vampires or as the Quileutes called them: Cold ones. But as the story went on, I found my eyes drifting of their own accord to the overly large native men. Could it be possible that since the cold ones existed that shape shifters would as well? Could these strangely muscular men with their angry features be what Billy called Spirit Protectors?

I shook my head at myself as I listened to Billy tell the story of the third wife and the fight with the female cold one. Why would she kill herself? If these monsters were as crazed for blood as the natives said, why not just slice some skin? Why plunge a dagger into your heart? Yes, I admit she was probably scared out of her mind but still. Who knows. Maybe I would be just as frantic in a life or death moment as well.

Jake stood after the stories and started walking down to the waves without me. I scrambled up and caught my foot on the edge of the blanket. I was going down hard until a large warm hand caught my upper arm in a painful grip. The hand belonged to a very handsome man with a scowl.

"Careful." He snapped lowly before steadying me and turning away.

I signed 'thank you' to his back with wide eyes before shaking myself out of my stupor and running off to find Jacob. The moody boy was pulling his long hair into a low ponytail as he stared out at whitecaps. I walked up beside him and left a decent gap, not wishing to anger him further. Maybe he was going through a late puberty. I internally snickered at the thought. My face must have shown my amusement.

"What's so funny and why the hell do you smell like Paul?" He grouched.

I looked at him in surprise, turning to face him so I could sign. "Smell like Paul? What does that mean?"

Jake rolled his eyes. "I can smell that asshole on you." His eyes were spitting fire as he glared at me as if it was my fault he was angry. I smelled like lavender and vanilla, not like some big sweaty man, I thought indignantly.

It was then I realized the man who stopped me from falling on my face must have been Paul but how could Jake smell him on me when all he did was grip my arm for a moment?

I huffed. "You're crazy, Jake. You can't smell anyone on me." I turned to walk away, but Jake gripped my arm.

"I'm sorry, Bells. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just get so angry sometimes." He said with a sigh.

"That doesn't explain your weird sense of smell, dude." I pointed out.

He shook his head as he looked confused. "Yeah, I don't get that either."

The conversation turned to easier topics as we walked along the beach until it was nearing midnight and we headed back to the bonfire that was dwindling down.

Jake pushed Billy's wheelchair to the house while I walked behind them beside Charlie. He hadn't had much to drink tonight, surprisingly. Maybe he was afraid he would say something about the Cullens if he did drink too much. Either way, after hugging both of the Blacks, we got in the cruiser and I drove us home. As we entered the town limit for Forks, I saw a large animal on the side of the road, partially hidden in the underbrush. I would've thought it was a bear if it weren't for the strange yellow eyes that glowed from it's face. As I caught it's stare, the lips of the large mammal pulled back to reveal large canines and I gasped, the wheel of the cruiser jerking, sending the car weaving a moment before I got it back under control.

Charlie's hand hovered over the wheel. "Woah Bells! Are you okay?"

I nodded but kept my hands on the steering wheel and my eyes on the road. I kept darting quick glances in the rearview mirror but there was no sign of the creature.

Shit. I guess that answered my questions about shape shifters. There was no way that was a normal animal. It was amazing to me how easily I could accept shape shifters from legends but it had taken me years to realize that the odd people that surrounded my life were actually vampires.

I blame the trauma.

Once Charlie was settled into his bed, a glance at the clock told me it was nearing twelve thirty. I texted Peter that I was home and then sent a text off to Edward to tell him the same. Edward texted back that he missed me and I blushed. I loved the feelings that he created in me. Even from afar.

Peter knocked on my bedroom window softly and I jumped up to open it, wondering if this was how they would come to see me now that I knew their secret. Edward was with him. Peter scowled as he climbed through my open window with a grinning Edward coming in behind him.

Peter barely glanced at my outfit, used to my Rockabilly ways but Edward stopped and stared with his mouth open. His ocher eyes swirled with black as his gaze burned my skin from toes to face. I stood there, flattered with a bright blush. He came to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You look beautiful." He whispered. I signed my thanks before Peter interrupted.

"The fucker wouldn't stay away." Peter grumbled as he settled on my bed. Edward's grin never wavered as he lifted Peter up and set him in the rocking chair before making himself at home on my bed against my pillows.

I just stood by my desk watching them. I was glad they seemed to get along, though Peter never stopped grumbling. I knew he let Edward move him. Peter had told me all about how he was the God of War's second, the Captain.

"How was your night, Bells?" Peter asked after he stopped whining. His eyes were shining with mischievousness and I glanced at Edward, wondering what Peter was thinking.

Shrugging, Edward answered my thoughts. "Don't ask me, he's blocking me." His crooked smile graced his face and my feet finally moved forward. I climbed onto the bed and sat cross legged, with my hands pushing down the dress between my legs, beside a lounging Edward.

"It went fine. I had a good time." I signed much to Peter's disappointment. I rolled my eyes before lowering them and opening my mouth. Whispering quietly, I repeated what I had signed.

Edward grasped my hands, sitting up and twisting around so he was mimicking me. I looked at him and his eyes were filled with awe. It gave me courage to continue.

Still whispering, I told them about my night. "Jake has been having mood swings lately. I'm trying to brush them off. Oh." I paused and took a deep breath. "Jake wants me to tell you not to hurt me." I whispered shyly. I let him see in my mind how the conversation played out.

Cupping my face, Edward kissed my lips once. "I swear to you, on my existence...I will never hurt you."

Peter cleared his throat and Edward cringed at something. "Okay." He amended. "I may have to hurt you once...but I promise you will never hurt again."

I was worried and looked at Peter who looked smug. "This has something to do with turning into a vampire, doesn't it?" I whispered.

Both men nodded and I expelled a large breath.

"I have some questions about that." My voice never rose from a whisper.

Peter spoke as Edward nodded. "That's only fair, sweet pea. I'd be concerned if you didn't."

Nodding, I looked around my sparse room, avoiding eye contact. "What does that entail? Becoming a vampire?" I figured that was the biggest question.

Tightening his hold on my hands, Edward's soft, remorseful voice answered me. "It's painful. For three days you'll burn while my venom works it's way though your body. It will harden your skin, like mine. All of your scars will heal but it will feel like hell while it does so. You will awaken with red eyes while your human blood stays in your body for a few months."

I stopped him, feeling horrified. Not at the thought of burning in hell. I'd been through hell already, but at the thought of something else. Memories of Maria killing my mother rose unbidden in my mind. "Will I kill people? Will I be a monster?" My whisper sounded hysterical to me while I looked from Peter to Edward with terrified eyes.

Peter stood from the rocking chair and came to me, rubbing my shoulders from behind, relaxing my tense muscles. Edward answered.

"You will want to." At my look he rushed on. "We won't let you, love. We will teach you to hunt like us...on animals. Your inner vampire will want to hunt humans but we will teach you and keep you safe. You won't be able to be around humans for a while but we would never take you away from Charlie. You will keep your distance, with our help, but you can talk to him on the phone whenever you want. Once you've gained control you'll be able to see him and be around him again."

My fast breathing and pounding heart evened out as Edward's words placated me. I didn't want to lose Charlie forever. Becoming a vampire would be better than the death that hung over my head, be it from old age or from the guillotine that hung ominously over my head. I decided that this could be a salvation, confirming my initial thoughts and feelings about Edward and Rosalie. "And any lingering diseases?" I asked.

"Completely wiped out, sugar. Vampirism means living forever. Unless of course, you piss off the wrong vamp or wolfy." Peter winked. I wouldn't have to die? I mean, I would die technically, I suppose, but I wouldn't have to leave Charlie alone forever!

Another thought entered my mind and Edward's features darkened before I spoke. I voiced them anyway. "What about Jake and Billy?" I asked.

Peter laughed quietly as Edward growled. "That is where it gets complicated...See, the Quileutes have their legends and we have a treaty with them." I perked up at that. I knew the legends but nothing about a treaty. "You know the legends?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah, I've heard them all my life but tonight I really paid attention." I ran through thoughts of Sam and his group and startled when Edward growled.

"There's more of them than I thought." He muttered angrily. My thoughts now confirmed, I remembered Sam's words the first night I'd seen him.

"What did he mean by 'They're back'?" I asked as I explained why I asked that. "Did he mean you guys?"

"Sam had been missing two of his pack. They returned that night. I had been with Jasper hunting that night when two of the wolves ran through our territory and Sam stopped us from attacking. The pack is not allowed on our land but they were new shifts and were confused about everything going on. We let them all pass with a warning to the new pups to stay off our land." He seemed to be struggling to hold his temper in check and I traced his knuckles with my fingertips.

They shifted into wolves. How fascinating.

I supposed it made sense that Sam was so angry then, gaining two new pack members and having them run amok. It made me wonder though, why it was of concern to Billy.

Edward, once again, answered my inner thoughts. "Billy's the Chief. He gets informed of everything pack related." I nodded my understanding.

"So is this why you wanted to come over? You knew I'd have questions?" I asked Peter, who nodded and shrugged.

"It's getting close to time, Bells. You should know what you're in for." He said compassionately as he sat back down in the chair. It was getting close...every day got closer to my fate. His eyes were sad but they didn't have to be if I was going to become like them. It didn't scare me. Maria and Dominic are dead and I've been under Peter's protection for months. I honestly had no doubt that Peter would come to me in a moment's notice if I needed him and he had. The only thing standing in my way of getting a bit better was my nightmares.

Edward looked at me with sad eyes as well, though I knew his sadness was from the direction my thoughts had gone. I knew I would have to tell him more about what I'd been through but it was just so hard to think on. I wish I could just forget about it all. Life was too cruel for that though.

"Is Jake going to shift? Is that why it's complicated?" I asked, getting back to the initial question. I thought about his shivering, though he wasn't cold. I remembered his mood swings and warm temperature. He had told me that Sam, Paul, Jared, and Embry had all been angry right before they disappeared for a week or two. I wondered if that would happen to Jake as well.

Edward sighed heavily. "I'm afraid so, love. Once he's a wolf, he won't want you near him after you're turned. You won't smell good to him at all."

"But I can still be his friend before I turn right? I don't have to stop being his best friend just because he's a shapeshifter."

Edward was just about to nod, I could tell until Peter stepped close, laying a heavy hand on Edward's shoulder. "You can still be the best of friends, Bells. Just don't freak out if he goes missing for a couple of weeks, okay? It just means it's his turn to gain control of his new fate."

The thought of Jake not wanting to be near me someday made tears prick my eyes. I didn't want to lose my best friend.

This did complicate things.

Peter's POV will be next. Bear with me, he will be more difficult for me than Edward was. Hope you enjoyed!

Yes, she's made some extreme progress by speaking in front of Edward. And in Peter's POV we will hear what he thinks of how much she yammered on tonight as well! This is only going to be a few chapters longer. It wasn't going to be this long but the flow just keeps coming and I don't want to leave anything hanging because there most likely will not be a sequel.