(I'm terribly sorry I left it like that for all of you. It was not right. I hope to finish this as quickly as possible to make up for the long wait. I'm sincerely sorry, I would hate me too if I waited so long)

I stood awkwardly in place, and I nervously touched my stomach. I felt slightly nauseous. How was it that werewolves could tell I was pregnant before my own body could?

"It's good to see you Ashley." Jacob said as he stared at me like the most precious thing to him.

"Jacob... I." He grabbed me and kissed me so passionately, desperately, and lovingly that I submitted to him and allowed him to kiss me.

"I'm sorry. I had to." He whispered when he pulled away.

"It's alright. Seems like everyone's doing that these days." I muttered feeling so dirty it was ridiculous.

"Sorry, but we really have to go... reunions over." He said and ushered me into the car as Jared did with Kim and the boys took the front seat as we sped off in the sports car. I looked at Kim as we both looked guilty.

My innocence and hers were both left behind us it seemed and silent tears filled both of our eyes. We suffered in silence together, the only real comfort we could have. I was so stressed out, wondering about Dare and if he was unharmed, or perhaps lying unconscious, or worse, dead... My lips trembled at the thought of it.

"Ashley, we're here..." Jacob had opened the car door on my side and helped me out as he walked me to his house, and to his room where he let me sleep.

"I'll protect you with my life Ashley." He said as he ran his fingers through my hair once before quickly leaving me alone.

I laid on his bed, wrapped myself in the covers and laid there, waiting before I had to run to the bathroom to throw up. Jacob expressed concern but he knew I was pregnant and simply made sure I had plenty of water, as a fellow member of the pack suggested he do. It wasn't until the next day that Dare showed up. I woke to see his figure in the doorway.

"Dare?" I whispered quietly.

"Go to sleep Ashley." He said quietly.

So I did. When I woke again it was to throw up another time and I wandered into the kitchen for food. Dare wasn't there. I panicked and called for him desperately. While everyone tried to calm me, I stressed myself out too much and ended up in the bathroom throwing up again. When Dare came back he made sure he was nearby, but did not come close to me. He was there when I woke, when I ate, and when I threw up. He was by my side constantly after that. He never made physical contact with me. I dreamed of how it used to be with all the simplicity's of a child. How, how did this all happen? I didn't know if Dare could forgive, because it really didn't seem like it now.

It was when I was 6 months pregnant that I realized I wasn't showing at all, like I should and everyone avoided me except for Dare. He came to me the day I realized it.

"You aren't pregnant." He said quietly. "I... we thought you were, at first, but then after about a month... it was mostly a mask for your safety."

"What?" I asked in surprise.

"You're not pregnant."

"I-I heard you, but what? That doesn't... it doesn't even make sense? I was throwing up..."

"You were stressed out so much when I left to run errands that you made yourself throw up. It was just stress Ashley."

"So you lied to me?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry, I was only trying to protect you."

"I see." I said quietly.

There was an awkward silence.

"You're not mad?"

"No, how could I be?" I asked with a laugh. "I... I was rescued and protected from Mark. My god, he scared me so much. He manipulated me-"

"You don't need to explain, I forgive you. Now I need you to forgive me..."

"Forgive you? For what?"

"Cheating on you, again."