A/N: Writing is always an interesting process. Sometimes it's easy ….sometimes it's difficult. Sometimes characters come and whisper in your ear at night when you are asleep just waiting for you to tell "their" story…(Yeah…Roman, I'm talking about you.) Sometimes you take a risk because it just "feels" right. This chapter IS different. I'm telling it differently because this is how I see it. I hope you'll enjoy this and won't mind the change of form for "The Fight"

As always thanks so much for your amazing reviews, thoughts and questions. I love reading each and responding to each and every one of them. Mouse…please know that haven't responded to all your reviews…but I plan to, I just wanted to get this chapter out. (Sorry!)

Thanks so much to Bluebaby who had to edit this chapter twice because I made some last minute changes. You are SO wonderful! And to all you Sam fans out there…believe it or not…I DON'T hate him at all. But this is storytelling and Sam is one hell of a character.

Oh..one more thing (I'm not sure if I can do this but here goes)…I don't know if any of you are looking for a good read or not. But Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark Series rocks….if you love excitement, sexy werewolves, vampires, demons and kick ass Valkyrie (these are some serious women) with lots of action, sexy and fun then read her series. I just finished reading Demon of the Dark (Book 8) in the series and I loved it.

Chapter 25: The Fight

"Bella"

I remember when Jacob first hinted at the secret of him being a wolf. It was after we had endured a separation that had nearly crippled me emotionally. I had thought that our friendship was over that he didn't want me anymore. I had thought that it was because I have the type of romantic feelings for him as he did for me. Boy, I was such a fool back then. If only I had known the truth. I'd be shocked to discover the depth of the feelings that I would one day have for him.

It was only when he had come to my bedroom, sweaty, shirtless with a body bigger than ever, his long trademark locks gone and with a haunted look in his eyes, that I knew that something was very wrong. I also knew that things between us would never be the same again.

I was right…Jacob was different after that. He'd never be the same long-haired carefree boy that he'd been. He would forever be something else. Someone bigger, brighter, faster and someone dangerous. Back then, I didn't understand the power of the wolf nor did I fully comprehend the type of sacrifices that Jacob would have to make for the rest of his life because of it. But strangely enough that type of responsibility did something for him. Jacob suddenly had a maturity to him when it came to all "wolfy" matters. Over the years, the responsibility that I thought may be too great for one so young, grew to fit him just like his massive body.

He loved the wolf now. Yes, there were some disadvantages, but at the same time the wolf was a part of him, of who he was. And now I understood it. I dealt with it. The long nights, the wounds, the pack knowing every intimate details of each other's thoughts, not to mention the secrecy of the lifestyle. I knew that he'd stop aging but I would keep getting older. I had even accepted that there was a still a sliver of possibility that one day a faceless woman could come in and destroy my happiness. Jacob swore that would never happen because he wasn't Sam. I was willing to take that risk and I knew that together we would fight "destiny" and I sure as hell would fight any woman who'd dare try to destroy my marriage. This was my home, my life, my marriage. I wasn't about to simply give it up. I too was a fighter for Jacob wasn't the only one who had matured, I had as well.

But now loomed the real possibility that Jake could lose the wolf and the man that I loved would have to give up something that was an intrical part of him. I loved him and the large russet wolf with the sheepish grin. Around me he was charming, cute, playful, and surprisingly even gentler in such a massive form; however, around others the wolf was aggressive, dangerous to any vampire willing to make the mistake to come to Forks. He was an unrelenting predator willing to eviscerate his prey, willing to do anything to protect me. The wolf could be a killer. It was uncompromising and powerful. If I were honest I'd admit that deep down on some sick twisted level, it excited me that he could be so unrelenting to others yet so incredibly gentle and loving with me.

My eyes focused on to two men in the middle of the field. Tension filled the air. It was thick with aggression and a sense of raw power that coated it. I bit my lip softly with a nervous gesture that I had never been able to stop when my tongue tasted the essence of something dark and rich.

Jake's blood.

My stomach jumped. Fear of another kind filled me. My mind was pulled away from the scene in front of me for a moment.

What is happening to me? Why would I savor the taste of his blood?

I should be disgusted, nauseated or something considering that the sight of blood normally had me on my back. But I wasn't. I wasn't a vampire who hungered for such things. I was a human yet his blood had "called to me". And it was like I couldn't control myself. Lately I had been feeling so many different things. Doing things that didn't make any sense. There was something very wrong with me.

My poor Jake, was this what you had felt when you went through transformation? The fear? The uncertainly?

Somehow I knew that THIS was different. I felt different. The strange healing, the bouts of aggression, the hot flashes, strange dreams and now the allure of blood.

God what is happening to me? I shook my head willing those unwelcomed thoughts to leave my brain. Stop doing this Bella. This isn't about you. Right now Jake needs your strength and support.

I closed my eyes for a moment to "will" him my strength. My attention was drawn back to the men as their feet shuffled through the grass and dirt both circling each other in a bent wrestling stance. Dark eyes were glued upon each other. Back and forth they studied each other, both looking for some sort of weakness in the other. Sam, though once larger than Jacob was no longer looking a fierce has he had when I had been eighteen. Not to say that he wasn't an impressive sight but somehow my Jacob dressed in a very small loincloth that did very little to cover his manhood looked the stronger.

Let's face it Bells, your man is fucking hot. His was chest broad, his biceps bulging, his abs tight and his thighs looked like massive tree trunks. Looking at him made desire course through me. This was my man, the man who shared my bed each and every night. He had the ability to make me wet by simply looking at me. This was the same man who had taken to waking me with his head between my thighs giving me more orgasms than I thought possible. But it was more the strong sense of lust I felt every time I was around him. This was my best friend. He was the person who listened to my thoughts, my feelings and my dreams. He was the person that I went to with my fears. He was the person who held me tightly at night to ward off the horrific nightmares that I was prone to having. Jake was the also the person who was always honest with me. I could always trust and believe in him. My friend who held my hand and allowed me to cry on his shoulder the day the doctor told me that I'd never be able to have children, HIS children.

Sam moved first. He moved quickly using a round house kick that met his mark hitting Jacob squarely in the face. I gasped as my husband flew backward and landed in the dirt. I bit my bottom lip to stifle my scream.

Jacob looked a little dazed while Sam wore a satisfied smile on his face. "You sure you want to do this? You can always back down. Who will protect your wife if your wolf is bound?" He taunted. "You can keep your wolf, all you have to do is submit to me, allow me to be Alpha."

For the first time I realized just how right Jacob was. If something happened to him then Sam would ensure that the pack would turn their backs on me, even if they didn't want to. The Alpha had total power to control the entire pack.

Jacob's eyes turned dark with fury. "Over my dead body."

"So be it." Sam replied. Then he moved again trying to pounce on Jake, however Jake anticipated that that and he quickly moved and Sam only ended up hitting the ground. Jacob moved back to his stance. His fingers swiped the blood that collected on the corner of his mouth. "That is the last time you'll make me bleed."

Sam's eyes darkened with determined confidence. "No …Jake that's only the beginning."

I watched in pain as the two men fought. Jacob swept his foot out and took Sam down onto his stomach. Then he punched Sam in his kidneys causing him to falter. Emily screamed causing Jacob to take his eyes off of Sam for a moment. Sam took advantage and elbowed Jacob in the sternum.

A cracking sound emanated and I knew that Jacob's collar bone had been broken. "No.." The words slipped through my mouth.

Emily's eyes found mine. I saw fear, pain and for a moment relief. No matter how angry she was at Sam she didn't want him to lose. Losing the wolf meant losing the Imprint.

Your hold over Sam would truly diminish.

In that moment I felt sorry for her. She didn't deserve this. Emily glanced toward Leah whose face was tight showing no emotion.

That's Leah's poker face. God….what SHE must be feeling. Leah had so much more at stake. Leah had loved Sam and wanted a life with him but I also knew about the sisterly love and respect that she had for Jake even when she gave him a hard time. Truth was that Jake has saved Leah.

I wondered what she was really feeling about this situation. Leah was now more than just the ex girlfriend, she was the other woman. If the imprinting was bound then Sam would be free to be with her, the woman he had loved before all this began.

Somehow Jake ignored the pain and punched Sam in the face. Sam's body rocked to the side at he took the blow though his nose looked like it was broken. Jacob advanced and Sam met him, their bodies knocked into each other like freight trains. They both struggled, each matching each other for quick fighting moves. Sam head butted Jacob. Blood opened up over his right eyes blinding him when Sam moved with super speed behind Jake's back wrapping his arms around Jacob's neck. He squeezed hard.

"No…" I cried. I stepped forward, my natural inclination to stop this. My eyes watched with horror as Sam tightened his arm around Jake's neck. Jake clawed at him. I stopped breathing.

"Emily"

God…Sam please no!… Don't kill Jake! I thought as my insides quivered with fear. I didn't understand this. How it had come to this?

Two men who used to be like brothers were now fighting in such a bloody battle. The coolness of the damp ground seeped into the soles of my tennis shoes chilling me. I wrapped my arms tighter around the large black jacket I was wearing. It was Sam's jacket. I inhaled smelling his unmistakable musk that was him. Resentment that I couldn't understand filled me.

What the hell am I doing? How did my life become so messed up?

I should be home snuggled up in the arms of my husband, not watching him fight the man that he once considered his younger brother. The teen that I watched become a wonderful caring man. I truly didn't understand this. I didn't understand how Jacob who used to camp out at my house, eat the breakfast I cooked and played with my son was now fighting Sam. I didn't understand how Sam was willing to risk his life just to be Alpha.

Tears stung at my eyes. Regardless of the pain or even the torment he caused me, it didn't change the fact that I still loved Sam. Didn't Sam understand how hard this was for me? Didn't he understand that this had been difficult and not an easy choice to become his wife. I looked toward Leah. So tall, slender and beautiful even with her face tight with an unreadable expression that had become her signature. She was what he wanted. I knew it. He knew it. Hell, she knew it. The truth was out.

Why couldn't I be enough? Hadn't I sacrificed too? Was this God's way of punishing me for taking Sam from Leah?

Would I lose him now? If he was pulled to her when I was his imprint what would he do if we lost that? Would he be in her bed sometime soon with no thoughts of me or would his love for me simply vanish?

Please god…I'm not ready for him to lose. My thoughts betrayed me. I AM selfish.

I glanced at Naje, who stood amidst the wolves watching the men. She was very young…almost too young. This beautiful girl who had lived no more than 17 years was now in charge of doing precarious magic. Magic so dangerous that whoever the loser was could die.

What if that happened? What was I thinking putting the life of my husband in the hands of a teen? What if I'm made the wrong decision? What if he died? How would I live with this?

My mouth was suddenly dry like sawdust as Sam tightened his hold on Jake's neck. Jake dropped to his knees and then used his strength to catapult Sam over his back. I shuttered. It took raw strength for him to do something like that. My Sam was big; but over the years somehow Jacob had grown even bigger. My eyes raked over Jake's massive body.

Oh My God…is it just me or does Jacob look even bigger than usual tonight?

Sam landed on the ground with a painful thud. A cry uttered from my lips and I bit back. The copper taste of blood filled my mouth and my hand as my nails dug painfully in the palm of my hand. Jacob rose up and stomped Sam in the gut, hard. Spittle and bits of vomit spurted from Sam's mouth as he took the blow.

I rushed forward. Paul and Jared stopped me, pulling me back. I fought hard against them.

"No…we've got to stop this!" I wailed not caring if they saw me break down. This was all about stupid male pride and someone was going to die for it. Life was too precious for this to happen. I pushed against them hoping they would let me go. With gentle yet firm hands, they held me still.

"Shh…don't distract him." Paul whispered softly against my ear in a gentle tone that sounded foreign coming from him. "Please Emily…let him focus on Jacob. Too much is at stake."

"How can you do this? Watch this? They are your brothers!" I cried angry that they didn't stop them.

Shame filled his eyes. "This is what he wants. I can't stop him and neither can you."

In that moment I hated them. Hated them all. Fury filled me. How could they do this? Watch this? I looked over at Leah. There was a weary expression in her eyes. I hated her even more.

If you had just left NONE of this would be happening. Why didn't you just leave? Why the hell did YOU have to phase? This is your fucking fault! Why couldn't you bow out gracefully? Why did you have to provoke him!

I wanted to scream at her. Tear her hair out!

Why did….oh god… I stilled as a cramping pain shot up my uterus to the side of my small protruding belly. A pain so sharp and intense hit me that I almost bowed over.

"Jacob"

Fuck…that shit hurt like bitch. I inhaled through shaky lungs, it was becoming increasingly painful. Damn! I think that my ribs are cracked.

A mixture of perspiration and blood rolled into my right eye, the saltiness of my sweat stung at the cut that was throbbing on top of my eye. It was already starting to swell and cloud my vision.

I sure as hell didn't think besting Sam wasn't going to be easy but we had been going at it for a while now and I was hurting.

This was only part one of the fight. Don't exert too much of your energy Jake, you are going to need it later.

Sam suddenly kicked dirt at me and the little pieces of debris flew forward to hit me in the face blinding me. I winced and blinked. I tried to see but I couldn't as those flecks stung and cut into my eyes.

I heard Bella's gasp. I knew that she was frightened for me.

Don't focus on her.

I couldn't afford to lose my concentration. Not now. Sam, that fucker was playing dirty, real dirty. I ignored the sharp gritty pain in my eyes and closed them.

Center yourself. Think, predict…anticipate his next move.

I listened to his breathing. He was coming closer.

He's coming from the right…I felt it in my gut. I dropped down feigning as if I were in pain, when I felt him come near me for another blow. That was when I reached out and grabbed his balls squeezing them with my bare hands in a grip that I knew that Yoda used in Star Wars.

I heard screaming as he bellowed out in pain. I didn't need to see a fucking thing right now because I had his balls. Sam howled out in pain as I squeezed tighter.

That's right..I used the fucking force.

"Who's fucking playing dirty now! I've got your balls in a noose bitch and I don't plan to give them back any time soon!" I growled clamping onto them. I squeezed as hard as I could allow me time to rub my eye with my unoccupied hand. Sam 's body down in front of me. His screams echoing against the hill. I finally and stood, towering over him. Through blurry eyes I saw him huddled in the fetal position cupping his testicles.

Yeah. I bet that fucking hurt didn't it? I looked down at him and considered moving in for the kill to show him no mercy just as he had shown me. I started toward him when a movement from the left side of my peripheralvision and I looked at Bella.

Oh fuck…why'd you go and do that Jake?

There was something in her eyes. "Don't…" they were telling me. That regardless of what underhanded dirty trick that Sam pulled that I was better than that. I was the true Alpha, a leader. In that moment, I knew what I had to do. I had to fight fair; it was the only way to truly win.

Sometimes it truly sucked being the "good" guy.

So I stood there catching my breath although pain lanced through my lungs every time I inhaled. I stood waiting, allowing Sam the time he to needed to recover.

"Sam"

Oh fuck…fuck…fuck…I rolled over; my face hit the dirt my mouth filled with it and blood. I had bit it when Jake had clasped onto my balls. Talk about your balls getting handed over to you! I cupped myself waiting for the enviable kick in the ribs that would follow when I realized that Jacob had stopped his assault. I inhaled sharply on the ground hoping the pain would subside.

Why? What the hell are you thinking? Why didn't you go for the kill?

I rolled over and opened my tear filled eyes to spy him standing on near me… catching his breath! He was looking at me. I just didn't get it…then suddenly I did when I noticed him glancing at Bella with a hint of pride.

Are you serious? Are you actually waiting for me to recover?

I kept my eyes trained on him just in case he changed his mind. I noticed a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Regret…oh my fucking god. He regrets this….

If I could, I would have laughed, but I was in too much pain to do that. Did she think that this was going to end up like one of those books she read when doing the "right " thing meant you'd win? Oh please…Bella, this was real life. It was clear that she had convince Jacob of her lofty ideas. See this was why I needed to be Alpha because that kind of thinking got you killed. Life wasn't fair. It fucked you up. You had to come out fighting to survive. That was what I planned to do.

Weakness…Bella's lofty ideas were going to get Jake killed.

I looked at Jake again while clarity filled me. Jacob was weak and now I had to take advantage of it. I had no choice. Right…but then why in the hell wasn't I moving. I hesitated, I didn't want to hurt him like I taunted earlier. Those were just fighting words to keep him off his mark. He had an advantage but didn't know it. Unwanted images filled my brain. Of me and Jake when he first phased, dinners at my house, cliff diving. Images of him standing with the others at my wedding. I had always cared about him, loved him like a brother.

When did things get so fucked up between us?

But thing again, I knew when. Leah. I couldn't help myself as I glanced at Leah for a moment as I stood. She looked worried. She licked her lips nervously and glanced at him.

Who the fuck are you worried for? Him?

My eyes narrowed. Whatever moment of compassion I was feeling for Jake faded. Jake had done this…taken my last connection to her. He should have stayed out of it. He didn't and now he was going to pay. Jake had bent the rules. Not me. He had it all, Bella, the business, Leah…and now he wanted the pack. I had given up my dreams and now he wanted me to be shoved aside.

I crouched back in a fighting stance. I noticed that he winced slightly and touched his right side.

A tell! He was hurting. Now it was time for him to hurt more.

This was war and I was a warrior. I raced ahead toward him, he barreled toward me. After crashing into each other, his arms pressed hard against my shoulder as I reached out to his right side, suddenly he twisted and I was turned with my abdomen to the sky. His knee pushed hard and painfully into my back.

A scream that I couldn't control echoed through the hills as I heard a cracking sound. My legs buckled. My body was suddenly lifted into the air.

Soaring…Soaring…Soaring…..then…PAIN.

I landed with a thud hard against the ground. My head knocked against it, pain filled it. Dizziness and nausea assaulted me at the same time.

"Sam…" I heard my wife scream.

I was startled. I lay there for a moment. My head jostled to the side and I saw him… triumphant. Patient…waiting.

Sorrow was in his eyes. "Let's not do this Sam." He said suddenly, his hands holding out. "Let's end this. Back down…we don't have to do a binding. You can still be a part of the pack. I don't care what the council says…we are brothers. Let's not do this anymore."

A small part of me wanted to do just that. Keep my wolf, give up. But if I did that. I'd never be a man, I'd always been Jacob's bitch. I couldn't live with that. My pride would never allow it, ever!

"No…" The sound of my own voice surprised me as the gruttle sound of it echoed through the air. Spit and blood ran down my mouth.

He looked at me with pity.

MOTHERFUCKER!

Anger like no other coursed through my veins as adrenaline licked up my spine. All I knew was rage. Jacob turned as if to turn his back to me. I moved then and lost all sense of reality.

I phased without thought.

"Jake…watch out!" Leah screamed. He turned. But it was too late. My claws swiped across his chest cutting into muscle and skin. The smell of blood erupted through the air as a horrid scream uttered throughout the night.

Jacob dropped to his knees as a horrific scream of pain erupted from his mouth. Dark streams of blood coursed down his chest. Large deep savage looking claw marks marred his skin.

"Jake!" A scream tore from Bella's mouth.

I couldn't look at him. I turned away feeling confused about what I'd done. It was more than a low blow. I hadn't been thinking…only reacting to the look of pity in his eyes. I turned away from the transgression that I had caused when I heard the sound of feet hitting the earth.

Shit…he wasn't hurt, he was coming at me.

I suddenly turned swinging out a paw and back handing him in an act of offensive. Only the contact that I made with was not with a strong male or a wolf. But diminutive frame that I sent flying across the field to the earth.

My god…what…what did I do. I didn't mean… Oh fuck. Bella! I stepped back. I glanced around unsure of myself. I saw a mixture of emotions on the faces of my friends, family and pack.

Anger, resentment, fury.

Growls emanated. Hatred filled their eyes.

Shame filled me.

I looked into Emily's eyes. There was such disappointment there but also real fear! Fear I had not seen since the night I scarred her beautiful face. "Sam…why?" She cried out as if she were in physical pain.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean it. I didn't know it was her. Why in the hell did she jump in the middle of a fight? Why did they let her do that! I didn't mean…

I turned away from them and closed my eyes. I called out a howl full of pain and despair. I backtracked into the trees away from them all.

"Jake"

Fire burned through the massive cuts in my chest like acid. I try to stand …it's so painful that I feel light headed and staggered. Blood poured down my chest.

He fucking almost cleaved my heart from my chest. Holy Fuck…Sam's actually trying to kill me!

Suddenly I heard a sound and turn to see Bella being thrown across the field. No!" my strangled cry comes from my lips as I watch her hit the ground with a thud.

God no! Please…Not her. I can't lose her.

I force myself off the ground and falter from the pain. Two more attempts and I finally run on to heron shaky legs. Jared and Roman stood over her trying to help her. I push them out of the way. "Move" I command, desperate to see her.

My heart stops beating the moment I spy her lying there so utterly still. Pain like none that I've ever experienced coursed through me. The physical pain of the claw marks on my chest was nothing compared to what I was feeling.

I've lost her. My wife…my life.

Bending down and I mold her small frame into my arms. "Please Bella…baby…open your eyes." Not giving a fuck that anyone saw me out of my fucking mind. . Blood ran down from a small gash on the top of her head. "Please," I choke out. I clutch her small body to me like a doll. The painful wounds on my chest mean nothing. Her pain is all that is on my mind. Her hurt.

It means nothing. The power of the Alpha, the pack, the tribe, the garage, the business. Without Bella, it means nothing. I'll give it up if I have to. I'll give it up… just let her be alright.

"I have nothing without you… so wake up baby. For me." I sob.

A cool hand touched my shoulder. "Jake, let me look at her."

I turned my head growling at a potential threat. Marley steps back with fear but I don't give a fuck. I don't want anyone to take Bella from my arms. "Bella needs me…"

"Son, let the doctor look at her." My father's strong reassuring voice comes out of the dark.

Doctor? Oh…that's right. Marley's a doctor now. I look at Marley for a moment then I gently lay Bella on the grass. "Please…help her." I croak, ashamed of my behavior.

Marley must have understood my anger and fear. She quickly nodded and moved toward Bella. Her fingers went to Bella's wrist. "She has a pulse."

I let out of a sigh. My heart pounded hard in my chest as I watch with unsteady eyes as she checked Bella's head searching for a contusion. Bella's eyes flutter. I moved quickly to her side cupping her small hand. I hold my breath until she finally opens them. Bella looks up at me, her chocolate eyes full of concern.

Thank you god.

"Jacob…." She touched my cheek.

"Bells." I lean down to catch her soft lips. Relief …sweet relief filled me. Large drops of water land on her beautiful face.

Is it raining?

I must have said my thoughts out loud because she answered me. "No silly. It's just you." She slowly sat up and touched the tears on my wet face."My sweet fierce husband. I'm alright."

"I'll be the judge of that." I turned to Marley. "Check her out." I commanded.

Marley looked at me, slightly uncomfortable.

"Jake, man you're scaring her." Roman said quietly. "Move back and let the doc do her thing. Okay."

I pause for a moment. Fuck. Roman was right. I was standing in the way. I moved always slightly not focusing on anything but Bella. After a few tense minutes Marley looked up at me.

"I think that she's alright. Probably a slight concussion. You'll have to watch over her. Make sure she doesn't sleep for the next three hours." She turned back to Bella. "I want to see you in my office tomorrow morning, first thing to check you over."

"Done." I answered.

Marley gave me a look that made me think that she thought that I was no better than a piece of shit on her shoe. No..she didn't care for me in the slightest at the moment. "I think that it would be best if she goes home, now."

Bella nodded. She winced for a moment, her fingers going to the cut on her head.

"Agreed." I stated.

"No." Bella stood. "I'm fine…."

"You took on a werewolf…you foolish woman." I spat, angrily. "You AREN'T fine." How in the hell could she think that like? We were all lucky, a hit like that could and all likelihood should have killed her. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"About you…" She whispered looking at my marred chest. Fear showed in the depths of her eyes."I thought…"

"You didn't think. NEVER do something so fucking stupid like that again." I responded. "I don't give a fuck about myself. I can afford to get hurt, hell even lose a limb. But what I can't afford to lose is my fucking heart. And just in case you don't know what that is…it's you."

She gave me a weary smile."Jake..I'll be fine. "

"No. You were out like a light….scared the shit out of me. You're going home" I uttered in a tone to let her know that I wasn't playing. "End of story, Bells, doesn't press me." I growled trying to intimidate the one person who has complete power over me.

She smiled weakly as if didn't intimidate her in the slightest. "What if I don't?"

"Then I'm going to give you that spanking you so desire." I whispered as my hand slowly cupped her bottom.

Marley looked at me with exasperation as if I was some sort of sex fiend.

Like I gave a fuck what you think. She was always a little uptight overachiever with serious control issues. Now that she has moved back as tribe's doctor I knew that she was going to be even more impossible than ever. I always thought that if she got a really good fucking she'd be much easier to be around. I remember a time that I offered to pay for it myself, Rebecca hadn't thought it was funny, but Rachel did.

Bella's cheeks slightly colored with a mixture of embarrassment and desire. "You going all Alpha on me Black?"

"Hell yes…Mrs. Black"

"Then come home with me and I might let you do just that. This is over."

"I agree." Marley said with disgust. "This whole damn thing is barbaric. Fighting like a pack of animals…." I ignored the rest of Marley's tirade and turned to my father. "See that Bella gets home. I'll be along shortly."

My father must have sensed something in my eyes. "Okay son."

"What about the fight…it's over right?" Emily asked suddenly standing next to us. I turned toward her. She looked pale. She was leaning over on her right side. Her hands cupping her stomach. "

"Yes. Emily. This is over. Go home and get some rest. It'll be okay. I promise."

Sue nodded a thank you to me. "Come on sweetheart. Let me get you home." She said glancing at her own daughter for a moment.

"What about the binding? It's dangerous and…"

"No need. Not anymore." I answered seeing both shock and relief register on both Bella and Emily's faces.

Emily looked at me with optimism in her eyes. "Thank you so much Jacob…what he did was wrong. But I'm sure he's sorry." She turned to Bella. "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize Emily. This isn't your fault." She uttered. Emily looked back at the trees, probably trying to find Sam when her aunt pulled her away toward where the cars were parked.

I turned my attention back to my wife and caressed the top of her head and kissed it being ever so careful of her wound. "I promise you sweetheart it's over. God home…I'll be there soon. I promise." I leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I'll come home and give you a nice warm bath and then….a fucking you can't even imagine."

Bella shuttered against me. "You promise?" She whispered.

Is she getting wet? I bet she is. Cause I'm getting so hard just thinking about it. "I promise you I'm going to wash you, lay you out on the bed, spread your legs and take my time suckling and licking every part of you. Then I'm going to turn you over on your stomach, put a pillow under your hips and fuck the ever living hell out of you." Desire lit her cloudy eyes Dirty words thrilled her. I knew it. "So, go home and take a bath and wait for me."

"What about your wounds?"

Marley interjected. "I do need to look at them, they look pretty are serious they could get infected. Truth be told, I know how you are standing right now." She reached toward her medical bag.

"Don't need you to doc. The good thing about being a werewolf….I'll heal."

That only seemed to make her more upset. Her mouth tightened into a serious line. "Well, I guess that I'm not needed then." She spat. She shook her head, her short page boy hair cut blowing in the wind. On someone else the look might have been foolish but strangely enough it worked for her soft features. She was a mixture of high cheekbones, full lips and soft doe like eyes. Of course I knew better than to be influenced by her fragile looks because I had grown up with her since she was my sister Rebecca's best friend and knew the truth, Marley was stubborn as hell and set in her ways. "This whole thing is fucking insane and barbaric not to mention brutish. And the rest of you…" She spat zeroing in on us and then my father. "Billy you are his father yet you are standing by and letting them do this insane thing like this is actually normal behavior… " I looked at Seth; he moved over behind her and quickly put her in a sleeper hold. The doctor collapsed in his arms as he swept her up.

"Was that necessary?" Bella asked looking worried about Marley.

"Yes, she was getting on my nerves. I'll have a talk with her later one. She'll learn the rules and abide by them." And she'll probability hate me for it. Marley really didn't like anything that didn't fit into her perfect OCD world. Finding out tonight that certain members of the tribe were actually werewolves might have been too much for her. But she'd get over it. She had no choice. She had always wanted to be a pack doctor, obsessed about it. Well, she had gotten what she wanted with a price.

I looked to Seth. "Take Marley home and make sure that she's alright."

He looked disappointed." Come on Jake…I want to …"

Shut the hell up Seth and do what I say, then get your ass back here, quick. I thought to him. He nodded and was gone.

Bella looked exhausted. There were purple circles under her eyes. "This is really over?"

"Yes…this is over." I leaned down and kissed her softly. Bella sighed with contentment. I reluctantly pull my lips away from hers. "Dad, watch over her. I'll be home soon."

He nodded. I walked Bella to the Jeep and put her inside making sure she was buckled up while my father maneuvered himself into the driver seat. Embry put his wheelchair in the back. I watched as they drove away.

I felt the air ripple with tension when I padded back to the field.

"You lied to her." Roman said nonchalantly.

"I know. I'll make it up to her."

"That's why you had Seth handle the doc?"

I nodded. "Marley would freak out if she stayed."

"What about Emily?" He asked.

"There's nothing that I can do for her now. Sam sealed his fate when he touched my wife." I said phasing ignoring my pain after all, I had a wolf to hunt down.

A wolf to kill.

"Sam"

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I needed to get away from the field and the other. Their angry eyes. The feelings of hatred that had come off the group had been intense.

They hate me.

I felt their feelings rise up and linger in the air. How could they not after what I did to Bella? I could still see her laying there like a rumbled rag doll. Her tiny body looked almost broken. There was no way that Jake would understand that I hadn't meant to hurt her.

I thought it was him! For Christ's sake, I'd never want to hurt Bella. I may not like her but I'd never intend to see her harmed.

God..how did it come to this?

I hadn't meant the things that I did. Things had simply gotten out of hand. I didn't recognize myself anymore. I didn't know what I was doing. The truth was that I was utterly lost.

I stopped running. Where the hell was I running to? Everything that I loved, I was leaving behind. I couldn't do that. I turned around and headed back. It was time that we ended this. That I ended this. In a few minutes, I was back at the clearing. The wolves were there, Leah looked tense. Paul looked up at me. Surprise marred his features. I could almost read them.

I know Paul…this IS suicide.

You can never lead them now. I realized that my quest was over.

I heard a growling behind me. I turned. Jacob's large wolf form was standing there. He opened his mouth and a huge roar of frustration and anger greeted the hills. Then, he grew. His four legs got bigger, his chest wider, his fangs increased. The wolf standing across me was now twice my size. I could feel the surprise of the others; they like me had never seen Jacob like this.

Funny, I always knew that it would come down to this.

Jacob growled again and saliva dripped from his sharp fangs.

Jake, I'm sorry I didn't mean… I thought to him.

With a supernatural speed that I've never ever witnessed, he was on me. I tried to defend myself, clawing at him, but he was nothing but brute strength. His jowls came down, there was a crunching sound. Pain lanced through me as his fangs sank deep into my neck. He pulled at me, biting hard, blood coursed down my body. I was paralyzed, helpless as he swung me around like a rag doll. I was helpless to stop him. I felt skin and tissue tear. I heard the sound of blood hitting the ground like pouring rain. My… jugular… did he rip it? Back and forth he swung me, pain…then the numbing feeling. I heard fading voices calling out.

"Jake…let go!"

"You're e killing him!"

"Don't do this man!"

I could feel my beating heart start to slow down. I was dying…

God…not like this…

I knew it. This was it. My life began to flash inside my head. Scenes of important moments flew like pictures in a movie. My mother, my father, my wonderful grandmother…Leah…how she looked the first time we made love. Emily when she gave birth to our son. Eric holding my hand the first time he walked. Then the pack flashed in my mind of when they had been teens smiling at me…and Jacob. How he looked at me with boyish charm the first time he realized how strong he was. Pride….there had been pride in his eyes and mine.

When had things gotten so fucked up….

It was in the light of real life and death I finally realized that it wasn't Jacob who was to blame for this. It was me. I had allowed my jealousy and envy to lead me down a road to my own destruction.

Oh god…Emily…and Leah…I'm so sorry. For what I've done to both of you.

The last words that echoed through my head as I started to fade away were Jake's words seared into my head through our Alpha connection.

I warned you fucker that I'd kill you if you ever touched her again.

Then…there was nothing.