I don't own Twilight.

"Hear the meaning within the word"
William Shakespeare

Chapter Thirteen:Jacob

Jacob raced home as fast as his bike would allow. He had barely killed the engine, and slid into the darkness of the forest before he phased in to a giant russet colored wolf. He tossed his head to the sky and let out an ear shattering howl; a signal for the rest of his pack to join him. As he raced through the trees at blinding speeds he felt a surge of relief. He was always amazed at how at home he felt in his wolf form. It felt like he belonged here in the thick of the forest.

There you are Jake! Jacob recognized the thoughts of Seth Clearwater. One of the more interesting parts of being a shape shifter was that when he was in wolf form, he could hear the thoughts of his fellow pack members. They could be hundreds of miles away from one another and still be able to communicate. When they were in battle they could quickly discuss game plans without the enemy having any clue. However, like most things to do with their phasing, it was both a blessing and a burden.

Probably the hardest part of sharing thoughts was the fact that they could never have any secrets from one another. They all knew each others, thoughts and memories. Whether the thought was embarrassing, or private didn't matter, it was all out in the open.

Are we all here? Jacob asked.

Everyone but Leah. Embry answered.

I'm here! Sorry, my mom forced me to go play 'the good neighbor' and visit the Littlecrow's with her and Charlie Swan. Boy that Charlotte is one strange cookie. Leah announced breaking into Jacob's thoughts. Leah let the memory of her visit run quickly through her mind. Jacob involuntarily growled at the recollection.

Wow Jake, you not a fan of the new girl? Leah asked jokingly. Jacob quickly filled them in on what he had learned earlier about Charlotte Littlecrow's special talent and his visit with the Cullen's. He tried to leave out his conflicted feelings for her but Leah picked up on them instantly.

You like her. She hissed.

She is a threat to this pack Leah. Whether I like her or not isn't important. Jacob growled back not wanting to discuss this issue openly.

I can feel what you are feeling Jake, even Edward picked up on it. You haven't felt like this since –

Leah! I don't want to discuss it.

So what do we do now? Seth asked changing the subject. She is a member of this tribe.

I want to tell Sam and his pack and get their take on the situation. Sam Uley and Jacob were both what was known to the pack as alpha dogs. Since Sam had been the first of them to phase, he had stepped into the leadership position out of necessity. Jacob, being the great grandson of the last chief was genetically entitled to the alpha role. When Jacob finally phased Sam had gracefully offered to step down, however Jacob didn't feel right taking it from him. He had been perfectly content letting Sam continue to lead the pack unchallenged.

It wasn't until Jacob and Sam had an intense disagreement on how to handle a touchy situation involving the Cullen family that Jacob finally stood up to him and declared himself the rightful alpha. The moment Jacob had let the alpha in him loose, he found himself alone. Until that day, none of them had known that such a thing was even possible. Jacob had broken free from Sam's control and in the process had severed his mind from the minds of the rest of the pack. For the first time since he had first phased, Jacob could hear no thoughts but his own.

The peaceful silence did not last for long, and he soon found himself joined by Seth and Leah Clearwater. Each had split from Sam, and declared Jacob their new alpha. Seth had split because he had also disagreed with Sam, and Leah had split for her own personal reasons.

Nowhere in the tribal legends was there ever a time when a female had phased into a wolf. When Leah had first phased, none of them had known what to think. From the very beginning, Leah had made it perfectly clear that she resented her new double life and she did not make anything easy for any of them. Jacob was fairly sure the reason she had struggled in the beginning was because Leah and Sam had at one time been very much in love. When Sam had imprinted on, and fallen in love with Leah's cousin Emily, Leah had been crushed. Making a difficult situation worse, whenever Leah phased she had no choice but to feel and hear all of Sam's thoughts and memories, no matter how private or painful they might have been.

When Jacob split from the pack, he gave Leah the opportunity to be free from Sam. At first Jacob was annoyed that she had decided to follow him. She frustrated him, and he didn't have the patience to constantly babysit her. However, it was not long after she joined Jacobs's tiny pack that she began to change. She became less bitter, and even Jacob found himself appreciating her more and more each day. Even now, he didn't know what he would do without her in his pack. She had become a vital member of their little family.

Eventually Sam and Jacob mended their friendship, and in the process discovered that two alphas could communicate with one another making it again possible to have pack discussions. Now, even with the two separate packs, they all acted like one big happy family.

Jacob could see a clearing up ahead in the trees and he slowed to a trot and then to an unhurried walk. He could see Sam, a giant black wolf, in the middle of the clearing, the other members of his pack waiting just inside the cover of the forest surrounding him. Jacob came to a stop beside Sam.

So, what news do you have for us Jake? Sam asked eyeing Jacob carefully.

I learned something about the Littlecrow's that could affect all of us. Jacob's tone was serious and Sam leaned in to listen closely.

Jacob explained what had happened earlier that day. When he explained to him the details of her gift, he heard both packs growl simultaneously. The sound was frightening. When Jacob had finished speaking he turned respectfully to Sam, waiting for his response. Sam was silent for several moments.

This is a difficult situation. He said finally. Charlotte is a member of our tribe.

I say we get rid of her. People go missing in these woods all the time. Leah snickered, only half joking.

Leah, you know that isn't an option. Embry scolded Leah, who rolled her eyes at him.

I personally agree with what the Cullen's told you Jake. Seth offered.

You would. Leah hissed. Everyone knew Seth was notorious for siding with the vampires, and Leah was not shy about the fact that she disapproved.

No, I think Seth is right. Sam agreed. She isn't a mind reader. She is only sensitive when someone near her is in a heightened emotional state. If we avoid her, or at least avoid becoming emotionally charged near her, we should be fine. Is everyone in agreement about this?

For several moments Jacob couldn't hear anything except for the wind in the trees above him and the rhythmic breathing of the wolves surrounding him. When no one spoke with an alternative solution, Sam tossed his head to the sky and howled. The haunting sound of his cry was soon overpowered by the answering howls of his pack and Jacob's. There was no denying it - they agreed.

Even though he knew it was the right decision, Jacob couldn't help but feel disappointment that was soon followed by a churning painful ache in his chest that he knew well. He heard Leah growling and he turned to face her. Her eyes were narrowed into tiny slits and he didn't need her to speak for him to know what she was thinking.

Stay away from her or I will make you stay away from her.