~Chapter Fourteen~

Foreign Fields

~Jacob~

We were close- so close I could smell the streams of fear Paul was leaving behind him.

He thought he could get away from the cold ones by running into the reservation but he was wrong, clearly not knowing that I was back and ready now more than ever to get justice. As soon as I sensed one of the Cullens was approaching our territory all my senses were heightened and my guard was up. It wasn't until I smelled the familiar scent from the one I once called "brother" that all I allowed myself be engulfed in resentment and hurt as I shifted. Embry and Seth didn't take long before they were by my side, ready for whatever may occur.

Seth, the youngest of our broken pack. he was proving to be a tough kid after everything that Sam put us through in Alaska. He survived the cruel starvation, mind-numbing cold, and even Leah abandoning him. His own sister chose that bastard over her own flesh and blood even though he begged her to come back to Forks with us, it was all useless. Leah still stayed with Sam- blinded by a love that had always been one sided. After we came back Seth had to tell Sue that they had lost yet another precious member of their family, simultaneously breaking his mother's heart even more than it had already been since Harry Clearwater's death. Can you imagine the emotional toll that took on a fourteen year old kid? And yet he let none of that break him. Seth made a point that he wanted to get stronger and faster than Leah or Sam ever were. For his plan was to bring his sister back home and free her from Sam's brainwashing- even if that meant taking down Sam to do that. Hell, Seth is just waiting in line for his turn to kick Sam's ass along with the rest of us but in a more reserved way. Looking back on how much Seth has really matured and grown into this independent young man, I am proud as well as relieved to call him my little brother.

Embry still seemed lost and as much as he denied it, his thoughts communicated out loud how coming face to face with Sam and the rest of the pack terrified him to his bones. Embry was really close with Quil and despite that we're in different packs now, I know Embry just wishes his best friend would come to his senses. They didn't leave things one the best of terms after the Cullens saved Bella according to Seth. They argued and fought until they could barely stand and eventually Paul had to come and separate them. Embry took a stand and told them they chose the wrong Alpha before he ran off with Seth, after me. I know Quil was just as lost and scared as any one of us but the difference was that he actually let that fear wrap itself around and bound him down to Sam's pack.

In a way I guess we all lost someone we loved, respected, and trusted that day.

"Jacob to your left!" Seth's warning snapped me out of my trance and brought my attention to Paul who was trying to attack me from above us on the cliffs that followed the river. I barely managed to avoid his fangs as I stopped in my tracks, causing the crazed Paul to land right in front of me. His savage eyes told me he wasn't in a right state of mind anymore, even reading his thoughts were hard to hear- almost as if the Paul I once grew up with was no longer inside the beast that stood before me. Even Seth and Embry seemed aware that something was up with him as they made sure to stay right beside me.

"Paul?" I'm gonna test my theory now and find out.

For a second I thought he was about to say something but instead he released a low deep growl from his chest before turned around and bolted. The boys and I ran after him. I wasn't going to give up that easily, if I have to I'll follow this fool back to Alaska if that's what it takes to get him to tell me where Sam is.

"Paul stop! You're not getting away from us!" Embry shouts.

We followed Paul all the way to the empty field where we had last met with the Cullens. I knew what he was trying to do so before he could make it to the territory of the cold ones I pushed even harder on my hind legs and pounced. It wasn't long before I was able to knock him down to the ground a mere foot away from the Cullens' side. Paul thrashed and attempted to bite me but thankfully Seth and Embry made it in time to help me restrain him.

"Paul that's enough! Stop!" I growled.

"Jacob what's wrong with him? I can't tell if he's trying to talk to us." Embry asks me through his thoughts. I look at him as we struggle in keeping a rabid Paul at bay under our paws.

"There's definitely something wrong with him. I can't read his thoughts either."

"Paul whats wrong with you? Don't you recognize us?" Embry persists.

"It's me, Jacob. Remember me? You threatened to eat me instead of a human girl the last time you saw me." That ought to jog his memory because if that doesn't do the trick then we're screwed.

Even with that, it seemed as if this wasn't Paul at all, just some wild animal.

"Guys I don't know about you but I don't think we can keep holding him like this." Seth tells me as Paul thrashed even harder making it difficult for all three of us to restrain him anymore.

With one final snarl and attempt at chomping my right paw we released Paul. He scurried back onto all fours as he stood there getting ready to attack. The hair on his back rose up as he began to snarl at me before he lunged. I took this chance to try once more to get him to snap out of it as I ask him, "Where's Sam?".

It worked. He stopped instantly and stared at me wide eyed as if it had been he first time he's heard that name. I stood still making sure not to make any rash movements so as not to trigger Paul again now that he finally ceased his attack.

"Paul, where's Sam Uley?" I asked once more.

He shook his head harshly as if he was trying to puzzle together a response. God, how long has he been in that form enough that he even forgot how to communicate with others? What the hell has Sam been doing to them since we left?

"S..S..am." He answered in a slow coarse whisper as he paced back and forth while continuing to shake his head. Seth and Embry were both thinking the same as I was so we all stayed completely stood still.

"Sam...?"

"Yes. Sam Uley, do you remember who he is?"

"Sam is..alpha."

"That's right. What happened to Sam, Paul?"

He looks at me with those now empty black eyes, "Sam sent Paul away."

"Why?"

"Because...Paul was hungry."

"Jacob." I heard Embry from behind as we realized how far gone Paul is.

"Where did he send you?"

"To..a port. I...I..Paul doesn't know where."

"Port Angeles?"

"To eat."

"What did you eat?"

Paul looked so torn and lost at the same time. He was trying so hard but the more he spoke the worse he seemed to get. I need to be very careful with how I phrase my words next.

"Paul didn't- he didn't meant to..eat."

"What did you eat, Paul?"

"I ate..a person." As those words escaped him I saw and felt the panic that took over him as his mind began to register what he just said.

"Christ..what did you do?"

"There was a boy. He tried to run but... was fast and so hungry. So hungry." There was no point in asking when this happened. I already had a guess to who Paul mauled to death.

Riley Biers- the kid who disappeared in Port Angeles and Charlie had to investigate only to find his torn up body on the side of the road. I knew it hadn't been just any ordinary animal and bloodsuckers wouldn't have just left their prey for everyone to find so easily. But Paul was capable of doing that? Sam seriously let him go to eat anything that would cross his path?

"That boy was found dead two weeks ago, Paul. What were you doing in Port Angeles today?"

"Sam said to find the girl with the red coat and then I could deserve to go back to him."

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. So that was your plan huh, Sam? To turn what was left of your pack into your mindless puppets and have them do as you please? My hatred for Sam was becoming more and more apparent the more I see how broken Paul is now because of him. His disheveled appearance made it hard for me to recognize him in the beginning, now I'm only thinking how Paul must look if he were to shift back to his human form. Is he capable of shifting back if even using his words has become a challenge?

I looked at Seth as Leah crossed my mind- she wouldn't be as weak as Paul and completely give up her humanity like he did. Right? Seth looks at me with those small scared eyes of his but tries his best to save his questions for later as Paul began to pace restlessly once again. Was he starting to lose it again?

"Paul? Come back with us to the reservation. We can help you." Embry suggests.

"Help? How are you going to do that?" I could hear his voice was hoarse now.

"The council members can help us figure out a way for you to shift back and you can be free from Sam's grasp." I say.

"...No..I can't go back."

"Please Paul? We want to help you. I want you, Leah, and Quil to come back home with us so we can get through this together." I knew Seth's heart was in the right place but it was clear that what he wished for- could never be again. Not without those three accepting the consequences of their action for what happened in Alaska and who knows what else after that.

"I'm a murderer," he says in nothing more than a whisper. "the one thing I never forgot was that it was our duty to protect humans. I broke that oath when I joined in on attacking that kid- there is no home for the likes of me anymore."

Paul shakes his head before turning his back on us and begins to walk away. I didn't try to stop him- partially, he was right in what he said. The chances of the tribe accepting Paul or any of them back was low. This is one of the realities I had to face as an alpha, being stern and cold was expected of me as leader of the pack- there was no more Jake, the one who used to comfort, encourage, and admire others blindly. I had to give all that up as soon as Sam disgraced my people. I had to a better leader who was stronger in all aspects if I were to become a good alpha like the tribe wanted me to be. And that meant I would have to make sacrifices in order to do everyone justice.

Paul stopped walking and as he looked over his shoulder he says, "Somehow it only just sunk in now. I guess I can at least thank you for...bringing my sanity back a little even if this is the last time."

"Paul! Tell Sam that if he wants to get to Bella- he'll have to do it over my dead body and I'm ready for him." I finally got the opportunity to relay my message.

"Then prove it when the time comes...little brother."

Just like that- my brother was gone through the thick ominous fog and heading back to the one who ruined our lives. Leaving me with a hollow feeling in my chest. Trying to ignore the horrible feeling of being abandoned once again I turn around and start walking.

"Let's head back."

"We're letting him go? Jake-" Seth runs up to me but I cut him off before he could protest any more.

"He's made his decision, Seth. It's up to us to stick to ours too."

I knew how my two brothers felt but I had to be strong and lead them like I promised I would.

"The time will come when we'll get the others back- one way or another."

"Well we're not going anywhere. We're here with you until it all goes to hell." Embry says as he walks next to me on the left with Seth nodding encouragingly at me on my right.

"Thank you."

Then along with my pack, we walked back into the forest- returning to our home.

~Bella~

"So tell me- are you allergic to garlic?" I blurt out as we on the couch in the Cullen's library.

Jasper couldn't help put his book down on his lap and laugh at my sudden question and to be honest it was the most heavenly sound that ever reached my ears. Normally I would have been embarrassed but I was too in awe with the fact that I was here, with my crush who's actually a vampire and in his house to top it off.

"Oh, it's been a long time since I last heard that one." He says in that sweet southern accent of his, after catching his breath, not that he needs it.

"I take that as a no then. How about a stake to the heart?"

"Myth too I'm afraid. Although I suppose it could be possible to injure us, that is if you're strong enough but not enough for it to be lethal."

"I see. If you go out in the sunlight will you-?" Even asking the question was hard but luckily Jasper knew where I was going with this and answered right away.

"No. We don't get hurt by the rays but our skin does react to the sun when it hits us directly."

"What do you mean?"

Jasper stands up from the couch and places his book back on the shelf, probably realizing that my curiousity wouldn't give him a chance to read anymore. He turns back around and smiles at me making his golden eyes shine even brighter.

"Would you like to see?" He asks me as he reaches his hand out for me. I stare at his pale hand that's just patiently waiting for me to take it, for some reason thinking about holding hands with Jasper made my heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not going to bite." He says while smirking at me. Of course he can hear my heart beating like crazy! Idiot.

I clear my thoart, trying to ignore my embarrassment as I feel my cheeks burning up and take his hand. He holds my hand in a way as if to make sure I don't run away, not that I minded it, it reminded me of the way I used to see Charlie hold Renee's hand long ago. I couldn't help but smile as I let Jasper lead the way to the large window that covered the whole wall on the left side of the library. As soon as we reach the window, he lets my hand go and starts walking over to the curtain that covered most of the window.

"Wait here." He tells me as he goes to pull on the curtain.

"What are you doing?" For some reason I couldn't help but worry that maybe the sun really will do Jasper some harm. As much as I was curious- I didn't want to cause him pain for it.

"Don't worry, I can't get hurt because of something like the sun." He reassures me as he wraps his hand around the edge of the mustar yellow curtain and pulls on it quick and swiftly.

I hold my hand up and close my eyes as the light from the sun was too bright.

"You can look now." I hear him whisper.

I open my eyes slowly, even with my blurry vision I could see Jasper's figure standing in the warm light as the sunshine spilled into the room. I blinked a couple of times to adjust my eyes to the light and that's when I saw his true nature. I felt an unbelievable amount of awe and disbelief engulf me as I stared at Jaspers appearance. Even with his burgundy T-shirt and black jeans, his body shined purely in the sunlight. It was as if he had thousands of diamonds underneath his marble skin.

"Beautiful." I said in nothing but a whisper as it was the one word that could describe my feelings at the moment.

Jasper didn't look at me the whole time, instead he just stared down at his feet as he waited for me to finish looking at his mysterious appearance. I decided to take the initiative this time and walk over to him all while continuously taking in his beautiful light. I felt my heart beating harder in my chest the closer I got to the immortal boy as he looked solem by himself.

"Jasper."

"This is my curse- our curse."

"Curse? I think it's beautiful." I answer as I reach my hand out to touch Jaspers crystal like cheek.

He grabs my hand before I could place my hand on him and finally looks up at me, his eyes conveying his feelings clearly to me. Jasper may think this is a curse but to me- it's magical.

"You don't find it..unsightly?"

"How could you ask me that? Jasper, this is the single most amazing thing I've ever seen. The fact that your dna reacts to the sunshine this way is...so surreal and breathtaking."

"You would think that." He chuckles.

I sigh as the sun warms me up. I wonder if Jasper feels that same warmth in this moment?

We both find ourselves looking into each other's eyes, taking in this time that we fortunately get to spend together- as if time stopped just for us. His beautiful eyes were shrouded with his curly honey blonde locks as they looked at me intently and with care. I move my hand out of his and make sure it's alright with him before I place my hand on his cheek, not surprising Jasper simply closes his eyes as he feels the warmth of my small hand on his cold sparkling cheek.

"Huh, it feels just like skin."

"Of course it would. What did you expect, silly girl."

"That's not what I meant! I mean, from afar it looks as if the crystals are on the outside. But it's nice to know that you're still you, even if you look like a celestial being."

"You say weird things some times you know that?"

"Yeah, yeah. That's me- Strange Girl Bella."

"Yes, strange but at the same time...wonderful."

There he goes again with his smooth talking, completely flipping the whole situation on me. Oh well, this time I guess I'll just take it and enjoy my time with my stubborn, unreal, southern gentleman.

Authors Note:

Hello my readers! I just want to say happy (late) Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all of you! I can't believe that in less than a year we have almost made it to a hundred reviews since I started on fanfiction! I wasn't even expecting ten! I was pretty swamped these past few weeks but good news~ I am going to be posting a little Christmas/New Years gift for you to make up for my being absent lately. I figured it would be a fun new thing I could do every now and then to kind of show a different side to my story. A more relaxed and happy version of the characters of Into My Arms! I hope you'll enjoy it!

Feel free to leave in some suggestions in the reviews for who you'd like for me to include in the specials~ I will be doing at least three side chapters so don't be shy! You're support has meant a lot to me and motivated me so much throughout this past year! I can't wait to share more moments with everyone!

I started this chapter with our Jake to see what his perspective is on the whole pack and Sam situation. It must be difficult having to fight against someone he admired and loved, don't you think? All I can say is don't worry for those of you who are against the whole JacobxBella ship, our wolf boy is going to be dealing with a lot more dilemas to worry about love right now~ (doesn't mean he can't be near her though haha). What can I say about our Bella and Jazz relationship? They're cute haha. I figured we could ease up on the angst a little bit between them now that things are more out in the open!

Sorry for rambling on~ see you in the special chapters!

-Rose