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A/N: I want to thanks all the readers and your fantastic reviews. And for the new readers just finding this story, thanks for letting me know how much you like it. You all truly inspire me to write. I really love this story and the wonderful ride that it's taken me. Thanks so much for your support.

As always a big thank you to Blue Baby, who always gives me inspiration and fantastic suggestions. You are a marvelous beta! Words cannot express how thankful I am having you to look over my shoulder. :)

Chapter 14: Complicated Matters

She was running as fast as her legs could carry her in the deep dark woods, the trees whipping by fast. The fallen limbs and pieces of debris on the forest floor were very little as it sliced into her bare feet. However she didn't care, nor did she care that she was naked, sweaty and somewhat bloody as she ran. It didn't matter that tree branches sliced into her skin cutting her leaving a trail of blood in her wake. All she cared about was getting away from him. Faster she moved hearing him as he bore down on her, he was the predator and she was his prey. The adrenaline pumped through her veins as she moved as fast as she could. Suddenly a fallen tree limb came out of nowhere; she fell hard hitting the ground scraping her knee. Blood poured from her wound,but she didn't care as suddenly a hard calloused hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her back. Her fingers grasped the dirt making claw marks on the ground as a scream issued from her mouth as she was flipped on her back. She looked above her; the figure now laying on top her was masculine and raw with power as a feral growl emanated from his chest. Sweaty, naked and aroused, she could feel the hardness of his muscular body above her, his member was large and silky hard against the taunt muscular confines of her own stomach. She looked up into his face which was an erotic mask of handsomely hard features while his amazingly multi-colored eyes seemed to change right before her. She knew she was caught. She had nowhere else to go. One of his hands trapped both of hers above her head causing her pert nipples to scrape across his muscular chest. His hand snaked in her hair knotting it on his fist as he pulled her toward him. His mouth came down hard on top of hers in an aggressive manner. She loved it, love the feel of his hard heavy weight on top of her. She loved the feeling of his sliding of his tongue in her mouth. Yes…this is what I want. Her body sang betraying her inner most thoughts to him as she arched her body into his. Thoughts that she had tried to hide from him under the guise of anger fled. However, she had run far enough and was tired of the game she played. Sweat pooled between her pert breasts as his head moved down. His mouth was on her body catching her taunt nipple as he suckled hard. Her leg moved up to hitch itself around his hard waist, her thighs separating as she felt the probe of his hard erection. She didn't seem to care that she was in the dirt and he was going to take her hard and fast without preliminaries, she didn't care at all. His mouth moved from her breast, he pulled her head back hard and looked deeply in her eyes. "Mine" he growled as he pushed long deep and hard into her wet awaiting heat as her body stretched to accommodate him and then orgasimed around him, and he hadn't even begun to move yet.

Leah came off the bed, a scream came from her lips as her body ached for something that wasn't real, yet what she desperately wanted. She tried to catch her breath; her body was primed and ready, sweaty and hot as she realized she was in one of the bedrooms in the Cullen mansion on the brink of having an orgasm. Fuck. She threw the expensive Egyptian cotton sheets off of her and strode naked to the large bath's fully enclosed shower. She turned the cold water on allowing it to cool her tense body before she turned on the hot water. She splayed her hands against the wall and allowed the water to wash away the remnants of her dream. Damn, that dream…it was so real. So fucking hot too. She thought about what she had been doing on the floor of the forest and how she had allowed herself to submit. Leah leaned her head back to let the water cascade over her. I hope like hell that Jake can't read me right now. The last thing I need is for him to see me like this. She would be mortified if that happened. She and Jake had formed quite a bond after what happened the previous night. They had worked together and it was clear that he had a whole new level of respect when it came to her, she didn't want to fuck it by him being all in her head and seeing her thoughts and illicit dreams. Still, she couldn't help where her thoughts or mind took her when she was unconscious. It had been so long since she had been touched and she had no doubt that if things had gone as planned she would have been in his bed this morning, taken and sated instead of laying awake most the night listening to the sounds of Emmett and Rosalie fucking like rabbits. The blonde bitch liked to mewl loudly when she came. She must have forgiven Big Em for giving me the once over. It seems that vampires' being cold and hard is a good thing based on the fact that home girl was clearly multi-orgasmic and Big EM knew how to hit that spot. Lucky girl…what the fuck? Did I just say that? I've got to get away from these vamps or get laid real quickly. Still, the chance that I had I just blew, didn't I? She thought regrettably.

Black Room

Jacob stepped out of the hot shower and turned to look in the mirror. His hair was still long and that tattoo was still there. He peered at the back of his shoulder and touched where the bite marks had been, but now gone as if they had never been there at all. He had gone to Carlisle late the night before and swallowed his pride to ask if he could take a look at his shoulder. Jacob hadn't voiced his concerns, but he knew that vampire venom could be deadly to werewolves and like it or not he had gotten bitten by Tanya. Carlisle had taken him to his exam room and gave him a shot to help his body expel the venom. He had also suggested that Jake get some rest for it would take a couple of hours for the shot to work. So he and Leah had ended up spending the night in vampire territory. Jake was tired, fucking tired. All he wanted to do was to go home and spend time with his wife. He wanted to get her in bed and keep her there forever in his arms. He wanted to take her on trip away from the pressures, the secrets and anything dealing with vampires. Last night had been a long night. They had been up until 3 am as Carlisle had gone into the history of Adam. Apparently he had had been a psychopath as a human who like to rape and torture and had become something just as equally horrific as a vampire. Carlisle stated he had often wondered why Aro would be willing to turn such a deranged human. However Jin filled in the details. It seemed that Jin had been working on a complex comprehensive history of specific vampire family trees; he had brought the book he had been working on that detailed what he knew about Aro's history. It seemed that Adam was a descendent from Aro's brother, Frederick, who was human.

Now this Aro was using his connections to inquire about his decedent whom Jacob killed. Carlisle and Jin warned Jacob of the risk that if the Volturi found out, they would come to deal with Bella, not to mention slaughter the tribe. Things had gone from bad to worse and now he knew that he had to go to the elders and tell them the truth. Jacob had wanted to get to La Push immediately, but the torrential storm had grounded all the flights. Leah also reminded Jacob of their impending business deal and told him that he had to be there to finalize the offer. She in turn offered to go back home to tell the rest of the pack about the situation with the Volturi. Jacob disagreed. He thought the entire pack needed to be together to hear the news, however he wasn't against sending Leah home to ensure Bella's safety. Leah was stand up and he was glad that she was his second even if she was unfortunately broadcasting her thoughts to him. Earlier that morning he had gotten flashes of Leah and this huge hulky man doing the nasty in the dirt; that was not something that he wanted to replay in his mind, ever. Watching his sister, by bond get done by a man who seemed more animal than man was not his cup of tea. Fuck, there was so much going on and seeing Leah's dirty thoughts are the least of my concerns, like dealing with the business deal for the company, the lies that I told Bella, protecting her and the tribe from this royal vampire family who may or may not come all because this sick fuck of a vamp had no qualms about turning his twisted family member. This was the real reason that he had turned a man he knew was not right in his mind. He allowed this insane blood thirsty manic out to prey on thousands of others. Jacob closed his eyes as rage filled him when suddenly he felt his fingers begin to split; long claws emerged from the tips. Jacob staggered back afraid of his own hands. Yeah…how could I forget this other problem of mine?Jacob was very afraid of what was happening to him.

Forks: Sam and Emily's Home

Emily closed the front door to the home that she and Sam had shared. She had dropped their son Eric off at an early play date; she was glad for it because she had a great deal to say to his father that she didn't want him to be privy too. Emily went to Sam's study knowing that he would be there since he was off work today. She watched silently as Sam paced back and forth. Emily sighed as she caressed the baby that was steadily growing inside of her. She loved their new baby, their family and their life together or at least she had; but the Sam she knew and had fallen in love with seemed to be there less and less. The man she fell in love with seemed to be fading away and was becoming a stranger, someone she couldn't understand.

"Sam, we need to talk."

Sam looked up at his wife. "Emily…listen sweetheart I'm so sorry…"

Her face was tight. "You had no right to talk to me the way you did last night."

"I know and I'm so sorry. I was wrong. I don't know what happened. I just lost it. I was so upset that Bella would allow that leech on our land knowing what predators they were. It filled me with rage to know that such a creature was close to you and our baby." Sam slowly caressed Emily's belly. "Can you ever forgive me my love?" Emily looked deeply into his eyes seeing regret. "I promise never to talk to you like that again."

Emily thought for a moment before her face relaxed. "I can forgive you. I think that if we try, we can catch Bella before she leaves today."

"Bella's? Why would we go there?"

"To apologize to her for the way you treated and talked to her in her own home."

"No, there is no way that I'm apologizing to that woman."

"Sam, you hurt her. You put your hands on Jacob's wife."

"I didn't mean to hurt her…but she's irresponsible…"

"No she isn't. That poor girl has been through hell and back." Emily stated.

"Yes and I feel bad for what happened to her, but she brought a lot of that pain on herself."

Emily gasped. She alone was privy to the fact that Bella had been raped. "How could you say that?"

"Because it's true. Look at what she's doing, befriending that fucking leech after what they did to her. If there was anyone who should hate their kind it's her." Sam spat. "But maybe she would if she remembered."

No you can't do that. "Sam don't you even think of telling her."

"Why? Are you worried about Jake? I'm sick of him. I'm sick of how he thinks he's God's gift to everyone in this tribe."

"I don't think that Jacob does that…"

"Don't." His eyes turned stormy. 'Don't you dare defend him. Jacob Black doesn't even know who he is. He isn't capable of running the pack, not if he puts an outsider above us all. That's what he did. He made a pact with the Cullens knowing that they were our enemy. Well, as far as I'm concerned he spoke for his pack, NOT mine. And the Cullens broke the rules." He stated dangerously.

"But Alice only came back to see Bella. You know that."

"It doesn't matter. It's time that Jacob was forced to play by the rules. He doesn't think that he has too. But he does, I'll see to it."

"By what? Starting a war that nobody wants? The Cullen's aren't here to hurt us, you know that. Yes, Alice made a mistake by coming onto our land, but you know it wasn't to hunt. What will this war do besides cause pain? Are you willing to do that? Risk the lives of your pack brothers for a war they wouldn't support? Are you willing to risk their lives because of your anger? What about their wives, their children. What about OUR children!" Tears ran down Emily's face.

"Don't you see Jacob has to pay? He isn't the hero on a white horse coming to save us. HE broke the rules. HE married an outsider who he knows is a magnet for vampires. HE doesn't care about the danger it brings us." Sam was irate of the danger that he hadn't sensed. How in the hell did that vamp get our land without detection? If he hadn't stepped out of the car, to go check on Emily, he may have never smelled the leech's sickly sweet scent. He had doubled the patrols today for the members of his pack Jared and Quil asked what was up, hadn't told him just yet. But he planned to. He planned to let everyone know what Bella was up to. "As long as he has his fucking princess Bella, nothing matters. And everyone thinks that he's like some savior, leader of the pack, Ephraim Black's grandson." Fuck that, he's not leader. Only a man being lead by around by his cock. Anger filled him. "He took my role as Alpha, he took that from me." He moved closer to his wife. She could see the hate in his eyes. It scared her. "He's taken everything from me."

No, that isn't true. Look at our lives, we have so much. "Sam, this is Jacob, he's your brother. How can you..."

"He's no brother of mine." He cut her off. "Not anymore. He stopped doing being that when he put the needs of himself before the rest of us. Jake stopped being my brother when he turned his back on us and married an outsider who will bring harm and destruction to us. I'm not doing anything wrong here Emily. I'm simply cutting out cancer before it spreads. Jacob Black is that cancer."

Emily stood there in shock, tears formed in her eyes. Who is this man? She wondered. This wasn't her Sam anymore; it looked like him, but the words coming out of his mouth, his actions, they didn't match the Sam she knew. Her Sam was supportive, a strong leader, devoted and dedicated to the tribe, but mostly to her. God, she loved him. They had been through a great deal…but she loved him even when he had lashed out in anger at her and destroyed her face. She had forgiven him knowing how much it destroyed him to see what he had done. That was what had scared her so much about last night. He had really lost it with Bella. His hatred had grown and deep down she knew why. Leah.Sam was connected to Leah. She had been trying to push her nagging thoughts away from her head, but deep down she knew the truth. Sam had been furious when the pack divided and Jacob took over the other pack; but she knew there was more to it. It wasn't so much about losing the pack, it was about losing Leah and that was what scared her the most.

Bella's and Jacob's House

Bella was laying face down in the middle of her floor with a sheet twisted around her naked body; slowly she cracked open her eyes. Sunlight filled the spinning room. She groaned and shut them again. Her body seriously ached, her shoulders, arms and even her waist hurt her. She felt like she had been in some strange kick boxing match and had gotten her ass kicked. Not only that, her stomach rolled and she knew what ever contents that were in it were going to spill out. She launched herself as fast her wobbly legs could take getting tangled up in the mess of bed sheets before she got to her porcelain commode in her master bath. Her stomach heaved and all the contents came out. God…what the hell happened? The night before was a blur to her. She remembered fuzzy pieces of what had to be a mixture of reality and horrific dreams. She remembered her horrendous argument with Sam, talking to Alice, getting a glass of wine to calm her nerves. She also remembered taking only one of those sleeping pills to help her rest, but it hadn't helped, so she had taken another. Stupid…I'll never do that again. She thought with a groan. Instead of resting peacefully, it had done the opposite. She had nightmares; she couldn't remember them, only little bits of flashes of Victoria, of Adam and strangely enough of Edward as well. Edward had been standing in the background just watching with very little emotion when Victoria had held her down on the bed humming the haunting little tune that he had composed for her. She had cried out to him to help her but he didn't…he only looked on when suddenly her Jacob was there by her side. Jacob had come to her and taken her from all the pain and vampires. He made love to her again and again. Her body was so hot, burning, yearning and begging for his touch. At first his love making had been fiery just like she expected, but something had changed and been off about his love making when his hands and touch turned cold as ice, his body moved strangely inside of her almost as if it wasn't him. Suddenly Jacob was gone, and lying on top of her was Adam who was moving in and out of her. She had screamed and screamed trapped into the horrific nightmare that she couldn't seem to get out of.

Bella's stomach finished emptying its contents, but she didn't have the power to get up."Bella." she heard her name being called in the distance. Footsteps sounded on the tile on the bathroom floor. "Oh my god, Bells." She heard Kim's frantic voice. Cool hands touched her head. "Bells…"

Bella was too sick to worry about Kim seeing her in such a condition, let alone naked.

Kim helped Bella stand and led her to the shower. She turned on the water and helped Bella get under the spray. Her eyes filled with tears as she noticed the horrible bruises that covered Bella's arms and waist.

Cullen Home: Forks

Jasper stepped out onto the second story patio to see Alice sitting by the pool in deep thought. He went over toward her and gently held out his hand. She took it in hers and kissed it. "I hate fighting with you."

"Me too." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips. Then he rubbed his nose against hers in an uncharacteristic display of affection.

"I'm still angry with you…but…I guess I understand what happened."

"I didn't have a choice Alice. Edward attacked Jessica, had her up against the wall by her neck. She felt his cold hands; she saw the predator in his eyes. There was a wild look in his eyes that I haven't seen since the wars." He replied coldly thinking about the events that transpired the day before.

"I can't believe that he would…" Alice sighed. "This isn't like Edward, he isn't a killer."

"We are all killers." Jasper reminded his sweet wife.

"No Jazz, we aren't." Alice turned on him. She looked lovely as ever in fitted light blue jeans and a single shoulder white top. Her hair resting against her shoulders.

"Yes, there is a part of us that is capable of doing what we have to. Even kill. I'm not going to say that I'm sorry for Jessica for she was a waste of space giving herself away like a common street walker. But that doesn't mean that I'm thrilled with taking even a life as pathetic as hers for such a reason. Like it or not, Edward is on a slippery slope. His thoughts and feelings are erratic and range from grief, despair, anger and love. He's a good person but he's in a dark place right now. He's allowing his emotions to run him and that's a mistake."

Alice looked down. "I just feel so sorry for him. Seeing Bella yesterday hit home. I saw the house she lives in, photos of her and Jacob." Poor Edward. She turned to Jasper. "Bella's feelings for Jacob are real, very real. She's grown up a lot in the last five years. Her love for Jacob is a mature one. I wasn't even sure she was going to let me back into her life. As far as Edward, I'm not confident that there is any place for him in her life anymore." Alice turned her eyes on Jasper. "She really loves Jacob. I'm not sure if Edward realizes that. I'm not sure what Edward knows right now, and because of that I'm very scared."

"There is no reason to be scared anymore Alice." Alice and Jasper turned to find Edward coming toward them with very sad eyes and a wry smile. Edward had changed his clothes into expensive black pants and white dress shirt.

"Edward." Alice hurried over to her brother. She looked into his eyes and saw a void that she hadn't even seen yesterday when he had looked so glum. What happened to him?

"I think that I ah…" He smiled wryly. "I finally understand the depths…of her feelings for…" Edward looked away. True pain filled his eyes. "She loves him."

Alice knew that she did. "You talked to her?"

"No…I uhm." He bit his lower lips as if he were trying to forget something behind his eyes. "I just see the truth now. She's been through a lot and I didn't help. Victoria tried to hurt her and Jacob Black was there for her. He supported her, loved her and I…" He looked away. "I thought that I could come back and maybe we could be together, even as friends, but I can't see that happening, not now." He whispered. "I was wrong about a lot of things you see." His dark eyes burned.

Alice was stunned by this turn of events. She saw that Edward was resolved in leaving and not going to see Bella. Her vision of him leaving town was very clear now that his mind was made up. What changed your mind? Was it Jessica's death?

"I've done enough harm here Alice." He looked at her with serious eyes reading her thoughts and knowing she knew that he was leaving that day. "I've hurt Bella in the past. I clearly lost my reasoning with Jessica and caused Jasper to step in and take her life because the error in my judgment." He looked at Jasper giving him a nod. "I'm sorry for what I've done and the life that I forced you to take because of my error. I'd never do anything to hurt any of you. You are my family and I love you." Edward kissed Alice on the top of her head and closed his eyes for a moment. "I promise that I won't be a stranger like before…however I need time to myself."

Alice looked at her brother, pain sliced through her. "Where will you go?" Her vision didn't show her.

"I'm not sure." He replied honestly. "But I won't be too far that you can't contact me by phone."

"Are you sure…"

"Yes. This is best. Bella is better off without me." He whispered painfully as he left.

Jasper frowned when Edward walked away. His emotions were strong like a beacon. There was despair there and a lot of…guilt. Guilt about what? Surely not Jessica, you didn't seem to care that she died. What in the world are you feeling guilty about and why the sudden change of pace? And why do I have a strange feeling that I may never see you again?

Cullen Home: Boston

Jacob stepped down into the amazing fortress that was the Cullen's state of the art garage. Holy fuck! The cars ran from the lines of a silver Pagani Honda C12 to Carbon Black Aston Martin the hottest sickest shit around. Not only that, the garage had the latest on digital diagnostic tools to fiber optics conveyers to the gleaming tools set in its precise places on the walls. Damn, what he wouldn't give to get a system like this in his garage. He grinned for a second; actually, he would be able to do that if the deal went through right. Jacob's flight would be leaving in 2 hours from now and Carlisle had asked him to pick a ride to get him and Leah to the airport. Carlisle also offered to pay for the destroyed rentals. Leah had nodded over breakfast of two stacks of pancakes, sausage, and eggs over easy, fried potatoes, biscuits and various fruits. Jacob's eyes gleamed when he saw the bike he was going to take. Damn…this is a sweet ride. The more I'm around these vamps, the more I hate them. Only they can afford something like this. His fingers stroked the MV Augusta F4 CC like he was stroking the inside of Bella's thighs.

"You like?" He looked over to find Emmett coming down the front with jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket. "Carlisle figured we owed you because we destroyed your other bikes." His cold fingers caressed the handlebars of the bikes. "Sweet, isn't it? This one is brand new. I haven't even ridden it."

"It's yours?"

"Was." Emmett looked chagrined. "Now it's yours. Carlisle left word that they are to be shipped to you once you leave the airport. I got them as gifts for me and Rose." He nodded to the other bike that Jacob knew that Leah would ride.

Jacob looked surprised. "This one was Blondie's?"

"Yeah…Rose likes to ride."

Yeah I got that. She's a screamer that one. "Sure she does. I could hear her riding all night."

Emmett smiled in spite of himself. "Hey that's my wife you're talking about. Besides, I can't help it if my cock's that good."

Jacob hid his grin. Guys got big cajones. "I didn't hear you complaining."

"No, I wasn't. I think that she was trying to get at your friend, you know the female wolf with the tight abs, ass and tits."

"Yeah…well Leah has that effect on lots of people. She loves pissing them off." He ignored the comments about Leah's ass. The only ass Jake was interested in seeing was Bella's sweet one.

Jacob wasn't going to take the bikes at first, but now he had changed his mind. "This is going to piss her off, isn't it?"

"Rose…yeah. She loves cars… she's really good with her hands. She should be, after all, this is her shop."

. "For real? Blondie?"

"Don't let her fool you. She's good with cars. She's got a business dealing with repairing vintage cars." Emmett stated with pride. "What, you think all this was me? Nope. I'm just her personal Jack…sometimes Jack off…hell I don't care. I love her." Jacob hated to admit it, but he was impressed. He looked at Jacob for a moment. "I know that Rosalie can be difficult at times, but why do you dislike her so much?"

"Other than being a vamp? She's a blonde who looks like a fucking Barbie doll. I don't like those types. Besides, I hate all you fuckers."

Emmett smiled. "Sure you do. But seriously, you've got a hard- on for her, and I don't mean sexually for my wife." He crossed his arms over his chest. "What's up?"

Jacob crossed his as he looked at the man and decided to tell the truth. "Bells. She talked about you guys."

Emmett grinned with adoration shinning in his eyes. "I loved Bella. She's my girl. She was like a little sis to me. I couldn't wait for her to be a part of our family."

Jacob growled. "Well, she's not your family. She's mine."

Oh…possessive. The Bella I knew wasn't down for that sort of thing. Emmett thought. Bella's gone from the brooding charismatic charming Edward to a very possessive all alpha male predatory werewolf. Dangerous, that girl is playing with fire.

"Bella told me how she treated her."

"Oh…" Emmett's face turned dark. "I know that Rose wasn't a big fan…"

"She treated my wife horribly." Jacob stepped toward Emmett. " Bella was actually afraid of her. I don't take too kindly to that."

"But you don't get it. It wasn't really Bella that Rose hated. It was the fact that Bella was human. She really hated the idea that Bella would be willing to give up being a human to be one of us."

Jacob's eyes narrowed, he hadn't liked that idea either, that Bella was willing to change to be with Edward. "I don't get it. If she felt that way then why become a vampire?"

Emmett's eyes turned dark. "What makes you think that it was a choice?"

Bella and Jacob's Home

Kim helped Bella out of the shower and grabbed a towel to cover her wet body. She then helped her out to the master bedroom to lie on the sofa. Bella still wasn't herself even after the shower and Kim was more than concerned. Please god, let her be alright. She turned to the bed and quickly collected the soiled sheets and threw them in the dirty hamper to clean later. Kim then went to the linen closet and put new sheets on the bed. Kim was quick and found a light weight shirt and pajama bottoms and helped Bella to cover to bruised body. Then she ushered Bella down on the bed. "I'll get you some tea and crackers."

"No…not right now. I just want to lay here and die." Bella croaked as she rolled up into a tiny ball.

"Bells…I'm so sorry." Kim whispered as she stroked Bella's damp hair.

"Sorry, for what? I'm the one who was stupid enough to take two sleeping pills and…"

"No, this is all my fault. When I gave you those pills…I…" She sighed. "I made a mistake. I got one of my other pills mixed up with it. I realized it this morning and was coming to get it back before you took it. But I can see that I'm too late."

Bella turned on her side to look at Kim sitting on the edge of her bed in short running shorts and a baby doll t-shirt. "What other pill?"

Kim looked at Bella. What do I do? Lie to you or tell you the truth? If Jared finds out he'll be pissed, but if something happens to you because of it…god those bruises are awful…it almost looks like someone attacked her. "It was E."

"E?" Bella was confused. "You mean as in …" She closed her eyes. "Oh God." That explains a lot. I was fucking high off of that drug. "Last night I had hot flashes, erotic dreams that turned into a nightmare that I was…" She shuddered not wanting to relive that horrible mixed up dream that was a side effect of the drug. "It explains why I feel so sick. It must have been the combination of that, the sleeping pills and the wine that I drank."

"Bells. I'm sorry." Kim looked miserable. The last thing that she wanted was for this to happen to Bella. She knew that she was in deep shit. Jake was going to have a fucking fit when he found out that she had not only given his wife a sleeping pill, but had gotten her high on ecstasy.

"Why would you take that?" Bella was confused.

"It's stupid, I know, but Jared is very expressive and aggressive in bed. Sometimes I take E to keep up with him. To feel…I don't know, more sexy or adventurous." Kim who always seemed the most confident and outspoken of all the pack women suddenly seemed shy. "I know that it seems crazy, but I want to keep him connected to me and interested. I've seen how some of the unattached females look at him."

"Kim, are you crazy? Have you looked in the mirror?" Kim was amazingly beautiful with her long legs, her russet skin, her erotic face, long hair and curves. "People would kill to look like you. Besides, Jared is crazy about you. I've never seen him look at anyone on or off the reservation. You don't have to take that stuff to make him happy. He loves you more than anything. You are his imprint or have your forgotten?"

Kim was surprised that Bella mentioned that. Everyone knew that Jake and Bella never imprinted and that it used to be difficult for her. She was shocked that Bella used that for an argument to support Kim's relationship with Embry. "You don't get it. Don't you see that's why I do it? Sometimes I wonder if he loves me for me or for being his imprint. Things happened so fast. With Jacob you know, he choose you, you aren't cosmically put together by fate. You are together because YOU are his choice." Kim chipped away at her royal blue fingernail polish. "I love him so much…I guess that I want to keep him."

Bella sat up curling feet under her no matter how sick she felt, she knew that she had to make sure that Kim didn't take that drug anymore. "He's with you because he loves you. You mean the world to him. You don't need to be anyone other than yourself and you certainly don't need E to make you feel sexy."

God even after what I put her through, she's sitting here trying to make me feel better. Typical Bells. It's what I love about her so much. "Bella. I'm sorry. It's because of me that you were drugged."

"It's not like you did it on purpose." She responded.

"When Jake finds out he's going to hit the roof and Jared is going to be so pissed at me for hurting you."

"No, he isn't. Because he isn't going to find out."

"What?"

Bella thought about what had transpired between her and Sam the night before. Things were going to be a mess and the last thing that the packs needed was for everyone to find out that Kim had been using E or that Bella had accidently gotten drugged in the process. Sure Bella felt like shit, however no harm had come to her other than horrific nightmares, a fucked up stomach and really hot flashes. I can deal. She thought.

"Listen, I'm not a strong advocate of keeping secrets, especially from our husbands, but in this case, nobody needs to know what happened. It was a mistake. I'll be fine after a couple hours of rest and strong tea. No need to cause trouble where there is none, just as long as you promise me that you aren't going to take E anymore."

Kim closed her eyes with relief as she pulled Bella into a hug. "I promise. Never again…thanks so much." Bella winced but allowed it. Jared would have been humiliated if others found out that his wife may have caused Bella to be hurt or….Kim stilled. "Bella, what about the bruises on your arms and waist? Last night…what happened? Do you remember?"

Bella had laid back down her eyes were closed. "Oh…those marks came from Sam." She whispered before she drifted off to sleep. Leaving Kim stunned.

Cullen Home: Boston

"So, you see, it wasn't really her choice at all. Carlisle did what he could in order to try to save her." Emmett explained.

Shit. Jacob thought as he turned away from Emmett. The story he had told him was so fucked up. Whatever anger he felt for Blondie, she didn't deserve what she had gotten. He also realized that although he may not choose it, he understood why Carlisle did what he had done. Carlisle hadn't changed Rosalie in order to make another vampire; he did it to save her in his own way. Carlisle, you really do care, don't you? Jacob's burgeoning respect for Carlisle grew though he found it laughable that Carlisle and Esme thought that Edward would have been interested in Blondie. Anybody with sense could see that those two were not cut out for each other. The more Jacob learned about the vampires, the more he realized how much he didn't know.

He looked at Emmett. "Why are you telling me this? It's not like this is something that she'd want me to know."

"No, it isn't. But I'd trust that you'd never tell her of our conversation. Besides if you open your fucking mouth, I WILL fuck you up." He paused letting Jacob see that he was serious willing to do anything to protect his wife. Jacob nodded acknowledging Emmett's position. " But I thought it was something that you'd understand because of what you've gone through. You know what it's like to love a woman who was violated."

Jacob growled. His eyes got dark. Carlisle had opened his fucking mouth

"No, my father didn't say a word. He was always a man of his word you've find. He really takes that that doctor patient confidentiality shit seriously." Emmett stated comprehending the look in Jacob's eyes. "You see, I'm not as smart as Edward, witty as Alice or strategists like Jasper. I'm a fighter, but that doesn't make me stupid, even if people assume I'm all brawn and no brains." He shrugged his shoulders. "When Carlisle came back from Forks a couple years back he looked different, seemed different, not himself. There was sadness inside him that I had never seen before. I wanted to know why so I listened in on a private conversation between him and Esme when they didn't know I was around. I may be big, but I can be silent when I want to. That was when I learned about what happened to Bella." Jacob's eyes narrowed with Emmet's admission. "I never spoke a word of it. Not to anybody, certainly not Rose. She had been through enough. Lived through her own nightmares and memories." Emmett's face became darkly murderous. "That sick fuck Royce shared Rose with his friends you know, gang rapping her like she was trash. It hurt me to think of Bella going through something horribly similar to what Rose experienced." Emmett looked at Jacob. "I never said a word to anybody. Thank god, Edward wasn't around, he can read our thoughts, without his ability nobody even knew, not Alice or Jasper. It would have hurt them to know that she had been hurt in such a way. Not to mention how Edward would have felt if he found out."

Jacob scoffed. "Like he would care what happened to her?"

Emmett looked surprised by Jacob's position. "Hell yeah, he'd care. So much that if he had found out, he would have come back. He still loves her you know."

Jacob growled. He didn't want to hear about Edwards "love" for Bella. "He left her. Almost destroyed her."

"You ever wonder why? You ever wonder why he's not around. He's gone off in some exile of sorts. He didn't leave her because he didn't love her, the opposite, it was because he loved her so much. Personally I thought it was stupid the whole I can to give her up for her to be safe shit. If it had been my Rose, I wouldn't. But Edward's got that whole Darby thing. He left her because he thought being around us was too dangerous."

"Well, fuck me cause Edward and agree on something. Besides as we both know he did just that. He was the reason that Victoria came hunting for Bella bringing that sadistic fuck with her. The real reasons behind him leaving doesn't change my position or my feelings for that fucking leech. He brought a world of hurt onto Bella. I pray to god that he never decides to come back but there is no way that I'm going to let him near my wife." Brother or not, Jacob planned to be completely honest with Emmett.

Emmett in his own way understood Jacob. He ran fingers through his short blonde hair. "Well, I know you'd help Bella the way that I've tried to help Rose. It was the least that I could do for Bella was to keep her secret, even for Edward. I'll admit that I have mad respect for you. You took care of her, killed that fucker Adam and that twisted red-headed bitch Victoria." His fingers tightened into fists. "I really wish that I was around to get a piece out of them. Bella was always really sweet and nice, she deserved better." Emmett paused for a moment slapping Jacob on the back. "I'm just glad that you were there Black to help her and all."

Jacob wasn't sure what to say Emmett, but luckily he was saved when Leah strode into the garage. Emmett smiled when he saw her. Holy shit, this wolf looks hot. Leah did. She was wearing a pair of tight leather pants, an Armor All halter top with motorcycle riding boots.

She smiled evilly at Emmett. "Like what you see vamp? I'm sure my image was going through your head all night while you were banging Blondie." She whispered vas she strode by.

Lay off Blondie for a while. Jacob thought at her.

Why? Leah thought with a raised eyebrow. Fucking with her is the only fun thing to do around here. Besides, it's the only fucking that I get to do.

Shut it Leah. I'll tell you later. He thought.

She threw Jake an annoyed look. "Black, this one mine?" She ran her fingers over the bike wanting to get out of there. A huge part of her wished that she was going back to Miami to at least explain why she had to stand him up, but what would be the point. It's over. Jake nodded the affirmative to her question. "Good." She pulled on the helmet, hopped on the bike and started its engine. "Let's get going, you've got a deal to close and I've got to get home to ensure the safety of Bella." She revved up the engine to look over her shoulder. "See you later Big Em," she winked at him before she closed the visor and tore out of garage.

Emmett smiled. Jacob looked at him and shook his head. "You better stop doing that, looking at her as if she were sex on a stick. Women can be dangerous. Besides that's Leah. She can be a real hard assed bitch, no pun intended. Leah would rather cut off your balls than to play with them and Blondie, she's no shirking violet. She'll make a eunuch out of you."

Rosalie stepped gently into the garage seeing her Emmett with Jacob. She had wondered where her husband had disappeared to. She was surprised to see him with the mutt.

"I know." That's why I like her. The smile softly faded on Emmett's face. "I'd never hurt her, ever, or betray her even if I do look from time to time; through and through I love my Rose. She may have thorns, but she has a very sweet loving side." He thought about how loving Rose can be. "Besides, I like a little pain with my pleasure."

Rose wasn't sure what part of the conversation she was overhearing, but what Emmett said made her smile.

Cullen Home: Forks

Jasper quickly followed Edward out to his car. "Edward, please wait." He sped in front of him. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Edward opened up the car door.

"No, don't tell me that. Emotionally you are all over the place. And I keep picking up these strange…"

Edward whirled around his eye wide. "Don't, stay out of my emotions." There was real fear in Edward's eyes.

"What's going on?" This Edward wasn't predictable.

"Nothing." His hands made a fist. A flash of memory came to him. Bella sprawled out on her bed naked sweaty, painting, wanting and calling Jacob Black's name. "I don't want to do this. I've already made a mess out of things. Such a mess…" Sorrow filled his voice. "It's best if I go away. This way Alice can continue her friendship with Bella and I…"I can try to get over all that I've taken from her. "Just take care of Alice and be good to her. Having a mate is something that you always cherish. They should be loved, protected and cherished not …." Edward stopped talking; he just turned, got in the car and drove away leaving Jasper to ponder what had just happened.

Bella and Jacob's Home

Kim brought the tea kettle to the mug and filled it with hot water for Bella's tea. She had thrown Bella's sheets into the wash and started the machine. She had also made Bella some warm toast. Bella looked up looking more than hung over in a black sweat shirt to cover her bruises and loose gray pajama bottoms.

"Thanks so much." She muttered to Kim.

"Bells…what happened last night?" Concern showed in her brown eyes.

"You mean the argument with Sam? I'm surprised he didn't tell Jared and the others on how he tore out of here. He was really furious; I don't think that I've ever seen him that mad." Bella took a sip of the tea allowing the warmth of it to fill her chilled bones. She was cold inside like something had gotten a hold of her and frozen her insides. "Kim, the last thing that I want to do is to put you in the middle of this or force you to take sides."

"You aren't." Kim took a hold of Bella's hand. "Remember, we wolf girls need to stick together. Be there for each other and for our men."

"Last night, Alice Cullen came to see me."

"Alice…" Oh Shit!

Bella saw the look in Kim's eyes. "I know. Complicated right?"

"Are the Cullens coming back?"

"No…well, I don't think so. Alice said that she came back because she wanted to renew our friendship. I'm sure that Jasper is with her, he'd never leave her side." Bella looked at Kim. "At first I was so happy to see her." Bella explained looking like a young girl as she moved her knee up on the chair and rested her chin on it. "Then…I was so angry at her for giving up our friendship. But when she turned to leave…I couldn't let her go. I guess the truth of it is that I know better than anyone that life is too short. I thought about Charlie and all the mistakes that I made with him. I guess I didn't want to do that with Alice. I'm not saying that Alice and I can go back to the way that it was, but I do want to try."

"I don't see that happening, not when Jake comes back. You know how he feels about the vampires and the Cullen's, especially because of Edward."

"I know…" Bella sighed. "Jacob's hatred for him has never diminished over the years…but having a friendship with Alice isn't the same as allowing Edward back in my life."

Kim hesitated for a moment then continued. "Is Edward back?"

I don't know. "No. Wherever Edward is, he's clearly moved on just like I have." Bella said with an understanding in her eye. She would have no one question her love, commitment or devotion to Jacob.

Kim understood, however pressed on. "Alice didn't say where he was?"

"No, we never got a chance to talk about him because Emily arrived with Sam. Sam went ballistic. He lost it Kim. Then he grabbed me hard. He went on and on about ending the treaty and going after the Cullens." Bella paled remembering Sam's threats.

Kim paled. "What? Oh God, no…he can't do that." But deep down Kim knew that it was a lie that she just told herself. Sam could do just that. He was Alpha and could do whatever he wanted with his pack. And in that lay the problem. His pack. Kim hated to say it, but she wished more and more that Jared was a part of Jacob's pack. Sam may have once been a good leader, but he was losing control. He was angry all of the time and instead of working in conjunction with Jacob's pack, he seemed to work against them. It was putting a strain on everybody and ever since he turned down the chance to be a part of Quileute Inc, things had gotten worse. And it was happening pretty much for one reason. Leah. Jared had spoken in secret to his wife about how often Sam thought about Leah and considered her his. It pissed Kim off. Emily was Sam's wife and imprint, she had given him a son and was pregnant with another, yet he couldn't seem to get his ex off his mind. It made no sense to her, Emily was sweet, kind and beautiful inside and out even with her scars…and Leah well…Leah was a nasty sarcastic bitch even on a good day. Why would he still want to be with her? Sure Leah is a knock out, but she's more likely to knock you out. Besides, this also ate away at her own insecurities. If Sam could at times forget about his imprint, what did that say about Jared? Kim turned to Bella. Bella had real bruises, caused by Sam's hands. Nothing would stop Jacob from seeking vengeance for what was done to her. Sam had broken cardinal rule number one in hurting one of the tribe, let alone Jacob's mate. Imprint or not, Jacob was over the moon for his wife and very protective of her. Nobody got away with disrespecting or hurting Bella and lived. This could cause problems between the two packs. It seemed that Sam was declaring war on the Cullens and on Jacob, which was the last thing that they needed.

Newman Headquarters

Jacob strode into the conference room where he found his lawyer and his brothers waiting with the people from Newman. He looked dapper as ever in a black suit, his long hair tied back with the stance and the command as the alpha he was. "Let's quit fucking around and get this deal signed sealed and delivered."

La Push

A large black wolf headed through the trees, he stilled when he caught a particular scent. He sniffed again; it was fading, old maybe a day or so. A growl emanated from its mouth. Leech. He mentally connected to the other wolf that was patrolling with him. A leech has been on our land.

What? Are you serious? The other wolf in the distance thought toward him.

Yes. I'm going to go after it. It's been six months since we've had one pass through here. I'm looking forward to taking it down and killing it. The black wolf went after the scent, it took him off of their land, but he didn't care. He ran knowing the other wolf, his pack mate was following him. Together they ran in the forest until they got to a clearing. There he watched and waited as his eyes saw the thing that he was looking for. A vampire elegantly dressed in the middle of the clearing standing all alone. Suddenly he took off after the vampire, his eyes calculating for all the different possible routes for an exit. Call the others. He mentally said to his partner. He headed fast toward the vampire, the other wolf circling around unseen on the other side of the trees.

The vampire turned and saw him. A small smile was on its cold hard face. He didn't run, hiss or take up a fighting stance; instead, he stood there as if he had been waiting for him. "I've been expecting you."

The wolf sprang ahead in a calculated move; seconds away he knew that he would catch the leech on the jugular and take its head off.

Jacob and Bella's House

Bella carried in a bag of groceries from the local store and the vegetable chicken tomato flat bread pizza from Ledo's Pizza. She went into the kitchen to put the groceries eating one of the heavenly slices of square pizza as she did. She planned to take a hot bath since she was still very sore. Her arms were filled with bruises not to mention the huge bruise on her hip that she must have gotten falling out of the bed. Great,I'm going back to being klutzy Bella. She wasn't sure how she was going to tell Jacob about what happened. She knew he was going to go ballistic. She didn't want him to go after Sam and didn't want Sam to start a war with the vampires either. She closed her eyes. This really is a mess. Bella didn't want this. Right now Sam to her knowledge hadn't said a word to anyone; if he had she knew that there would be members of either pack at her door by now. So far, that hadn't happened. Maybe, just maybe, Emily had talked him down. Emily had called earlier during the day to apologize. She didn't need to because this mess wasn't her fault. Bella had been feeling down all day. She headed up the back stairs and wished that Billy was in town and not on a fishing trip this weekend. She really wouldn't mind cooking dinner and spending her time with him. He was her family and it was times like this where she really missed Charlie. God, how she wished Jacob were home. She wandered into her bedroom. A nice hot bath is just what I need. She kicked off her shoes, jeans, panties; wearing only off her light long sleeved shirt she had worn that day to cover her bruises. The last thing she needed was for anyone to see the bruises on her arms. She never bothered to turn on the lights as she wandered into the bathroom clad in that shirt. There she stopped dead in her tracks. The shower was running so hot that there was nothing but steam coming out of it; however she could see from the moonlight coming from the window the naked male standing under the spray from the water. Thick soapy suds flowed down the hard muscular plains of his amazing abs down his thick engorged sex. He was temptation at his best. His head was thrown back as he rinsed the suds out of his hair. His eyes opened and found her standing there on the other side of the glass. The heat in her body exploded as waves of erotic need came over her epic proportions, it rocked her as wave after wave of heat filled her whole body, her vagina was already clenching. She had never felt anything like this ever. I want you hard, fast and deep inside of me.

It was like he could read her thoughts. He looked at her, hunger was there. He spoke one word.

"Strip."