A/N: I didn't get a chance to respond to reviews this time, so I just wanted to say thank you to all who reviewed and who offered their condolences. Much appreciated.

"Hey there Little Red Riding Hood,

You sure are looking good.

You're everything a

big bad wolf could want"

Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs "Little Red Riding Hood"

I dreamed about some kind of animal – large and fast – chasing me through the forest. I woke with a scream of terror only to be wrapped in Jake's arms and held securely against his chest. "Shhh, it's okay." He whispered it over and over against my hair until I calmed down.

His warm lips pressed against mine, calming me further. I had moved away from him during the night, so I tucked my good arm under the pillow and laid my head on his chest. The steady thump of his heart lulled me back to sleep.

The next morning I started feeling guilty from pulling Jake away from Billy, his pack duties, and his work. We nearly got into an argument after breakfast, but he insisted he didn't have much to do.

He finally sighed. "Fine, if I go home to get some work done then you're coming with me."

I raised my eyebrows. "That's fine with me."

So in the end he drove us to La Push – after being grilled by Charlie where we were going and how long we would be gone – so he could work on some more wood pieces. I sat in the garage with him watching as he carefully carved shapes out of pieces of wood. He passed some wood to me to sand to give me something to do as well.

We worked in comfortable silence for quite awhile. I found myself daydreaming as I watched him work; his hands moved confidently over the wood and it brought to mind how his hands moved doing other things. It seemed that Jake and I had never gotten our alone time. Rachel had interrupted us and then I had gotten hurt. I bit my lip as I tried to concentrate on my task, but images of Jake's bare chest, his fingers gliding over my skin, followed by his lips were now flashing through my mind. Charlie had told me that he would be working late tonight, so I knew we would have the house to ourselves for a little while.

"Jake?" I bit my lip again.

"Hmmm?" he murmured, carefully carving symbols onto a tiny wooden drum.

"Charlie's working late tonight," I said casually.

He nodded, still focused on his carving.

"So we have the house to ourselves… so we can, you know, be together," I said quietly, feeling my cheeks warm.

He looked over at me, raising his eyebrows. "I'm not sure if you should engage in any, uh, physical activity yet," he said worriedly. "I wouldn't want to accidentally hurt you."

My brow wrinkled and I felt my lip poke out in a pout. I was about to tell him I was fine, but he glanced at the clock. "Wow, it got late. I'm hungry. Come on, Bells, lets go grab something to eat."

I felt grumpy and disappointed as I struggled to maneuver the stupid crutches. I ended up making some turkey sandwiches for us and we watched television with Billy. Jake drove me home around dinner time and I made a casserole and prepared a platter for Charlie to take to the station when we finished eating.

When we got there, Charlie was in his office, lost in a pile of paperwork. "Hey Dad. I brought you some dinner," I said.

He glanced up, breaking into a tired smile. "Thanks honey; I appreciate that. It smells good!"

We left him with his papers and dinner and headed back to the house. We watched a little more television and played with Qahla; laughing at her antics as she randomly started tearing around the living room in a frenzy.

Later on I managed a quick wash in the shower with only a little help from Jake. I limped my way into my room, leaning on a carved wooden stick Jake gave me to get around so I didn't have to always use my crutches. When Jake disappeared into the bathroom, I grinned mischievously. We had two hours until Charlie came home so I was going to do what I could to get what I wanted. I quickly took off my pajamas and slid into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin.

When Jake came in, he was wearing shorts and a worn t-shirt. When he slid into bed next to me, I rolled over and pressed against him. He gave a start of surprise when his arms wound around me.

"Bells, what…" he started to say, but I interrupted him by sliding my hand down his abdomen to the top of his shorts.

"Jake, just shut up and kiss me," I ordered.

I could see his worry, but he obliged quickly. His lips pressed against mine; I traced the seam of his lips with my tongue until his mouth opened. I bit down on his lower lip and tugged on it, reveling in his groan. Our tongues twisted and stroked as I slid my hand down further, brushing my fingers over his hard length.

I alternately stroked him slowly then with a little more force. His moans and pants continued to spur me on. "Take your clothes off," I panted as his lips blazed a trail down my neck.

He did and it was heaven being pressed against each other naked again. I forgot the ache in my wrist as I stroked his face, tugged on his hair, and scratched my nails down his back. I wanted more but my movements were limited. His hands gripped my hips gently, moving me up so he could brush his lips over my nipples.

"Mmmm…" I moaned, pressing myself closer as his tongue teased the peak.

I cried out as his teeth gently closed over my nipple. He began sucking on me in earnest. "J-jake," I gasped. "I want you inside me."

He very gently turned me so we were lying facing each other; he gently lifted my sore leg and laid it over his, effectively leaving me bared; and not just my body. For a suspended moment our eyes met and held. In their depths I saw the innocence of childhood, of running barefoot in the grass. I saw a future of happiness filled with love and children laughing. The spell broke and I moved against him; his hand dipped between my legs, his fingers dragging up my opening.

"Yes… yes…" I managed to say. It was heaven.

He tilted my face up, kissing every inch he could reach, until his tongue slipped between my lips again. His fingers kept up a steady pace, dipping inside of me, stroking over the sensitive nub. My limbs began to twitch and my eyes fluttered closed as the feelings intensified. I began rocking my hips, close to reaching an explosive climax when he moved his hand away.

I protested, but he shifted his hips closer, brushing the tip of himself against me. I writhed as best I could and then he thrust himself into me. I nearly saw stars as he began pumping his hips against mine. He filled me, stretched me, and totally completed me.

"God Bells… oh yes… you feel so good; so wet," he gasped as our hips melded together.

Being pressed so close, he was brushing right where I wanted him to. I opened my eyes and saw he was focused on my breasts as they moved with his thrusting. Then his eyes met mine and he smiled sweetly. I smirked at him; it was a typical teenage boy thing to do, but his eyes were soft and loving as he watched me while we made love.

Overwhelmed at the emotions of just looking into his eyes provoked, I fisted his hair, kissing my way up his neck to his mouth. His tongue thrust into my mouth as he thrust his hips, burying himself to the hilt inside of me.

Our breath quickened even more, kisses more frantic; Jake's hands were hot as he gently brushed them over the less painful parts of my back and held me firmly against him. My head tilted back, Jake's lips seeking mine out as the pressure built even more.

I cried out one last time as my body flew apart in ecstasy. Jake's grunts intensified the pleasure as he gripped my ass and thrust heavily as he released. As we both came back down from our high, I could feel the throb in my thigh and the sore skin of my back aching. I must have winced, because Jake was looking at me, his brow furrowed.

"Bells…" he started to say, but I put my hand over his mouth.

"Jake, if you say one word about regretting this, I'm kicking you out of this bed," I snapped.

He laughed, pressing his lips to the soft skin under my chin. "I don't regret it. How could I? I always want you, Bells. Are you okay, though?"

"A little sore," I admitted. "But I don't care."

At that moment the door slammed downstairs. I looked at the clock in surprise; I couldn't believe so much time had passed. Jake was dressed in seconds and helped me pull my pajamas back on. He stretched out next to me as I rested my head on his chest. Charlie popped his head in a couple minutes later.

"Night Bells," he said. "Night Jake," he said a little reluctantly. He was still a little bothered by the situation, but didn't say anything.

I felt the warmth of Jake's hand penetrate into the sore muscle of my thigh. A soft sigh of contentment and I drifted off to sleep wrapped in the protective circle of Jake's arms.

"Dammit," I muttered as I tried to brush my hair.

My wrist was bothering me again and it was making brushing my hair rather difficult. I gave a squeak of surprise when the brush was taken from my hand. Jake was standing behind me; only moments ago he had been snoring. He grinned and started brushing my hair for me. I smiled a little, watching him work on untangling my hair without hurting me. I tried not to laugh at the serious concentration on his face.

I couldn't resist teasing him a little. "Can you pull it up into a ponytail, too?"

He obliged, making me giggle, as the ponytail ended up a little lopsided. I left it go. I made French toast for breakfast and I ended up perched on his lap as we ate.

We made quick work of breakfast, and I leaned back comfortably against him. He nuzzled his nose behind my ear. "Bells, do you want to go to Port Angeles today?" he asked.

I turned to look at him. "I'd love to get out of the house again, but it isn't safe is it?"

"Well, we'll take precautions. I'll see if one or two of the guys will go and patrol the area. The rest will stay here and keep an eye on Charlie and everyone else. And of course we won't be in any unpopulated areas."

I bit my lip, but agreed readily. He called to find out if anyone would be willing to patrol in the Port Angeles area and I called Charlie at work to let him know where I was going. I had to promise multiple times I would be careful. I left Qahla with Angela for the day; I didn't want Qahla to be alone either and I knew Angela's brothers' would enjoy playing with her.

Even with everything going on I was so glad to be going somewhere. When we got there we just walked around checking things out. I used the walking stick Jake gave me and held onto his arm. My leg still hurt a little, but it felt good to exercise it. After awhile we came across that little bookstore I had stopped in awhile back. I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows, and he laughed.

"Yes, we can go in," he said with an exaggerated sigh, and I gave him a little shove.

Oddly I felt at home in this bookstore. Jake followed me as we meandered our way through. I found a couple more books I wanted that were on sale and continued to browse. Jake found a book on Native crafts and was looking at the wooden carvings, so I just continued on my way. As I browsed my way back up front, I saw the sign that proclaimed they were hiring. I got excited immediately; it was near the end of July and I was going to need to start job-hunting soon anyway.

I noticed the same woman that seemed to be in charge the last time I was here, so I went over to her. "Excuse me?" I questioned quietly as she helped the girl behind the café counter heft a platter of sandwiches onto the counter.

She brushed a wispy curl of brown hair out of her eyes and looked up with a friendly smile. "Hi. Can I help you?"

"Yes, I just saw the sign that you're hiring? I'd like to fill out an application."

She came out from behind the counter and her eyes widened at the sight of me. "Oh my," she murmured. "What happened to you, hon?"

I glanced down at my make-shift walking stick and felt my cheeks warm a little. "I was… attacked… by an animal," I said quietly.

"You poor thing. I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to pry."

I assured her it was okay. I sensed she asked me out of concern, and oddly enough, caring and not nosiness.

She handed me an application. "Do you have any managerial experience?" she asked.

I bit my lip, not realizing that's what the job was for. "No," I said honestly. I decided to forge ahead, though. "I know it's not job experience, but I did do my mother's bookkeeping, so I have some experience with that. I'm a fast learner, too."

She hesitated, but nodded. "Fill out the application. I do have some time to do a short interview with you."

I glanced over and saw Jake was still reading, so I sat down and filled out the application. She sat with me when I was finished. "My name is Melanie Roth, the owner of Heavenly Scents Bookstore & Café," she said reaching out to shake my hand.

"Bella Swan," I replied. I sat there trying to look calm and professional as she read over my application.

"Well, Bella, you are a bit younger than I would normally consider for a manager position, especially since you don't have job experience in that field," she said finally and I felt my hope deflate.

She smiled gently, moss green eyes understanding. "But I'm still willing to hear you out. Tell me a bit about yourself," she encouraged me.

I told her about my upbringing, how I became the one to cook and clean and pay a number of the bills. I made sure not to brag, but I told her I worked hard in school and that I would eventually like to major in English Literature. She grinned at my exuberance when I told her about how much I loved to read. She listened attentively to me as I told her about my experience working at Newton's Outfitters and what I did there.

When I began to wind down, she smiled. "Well, Bella, I must say you're quite a young woman. That's a lot for a teenager to deal with, but you certainly don't seem to mind handling responsibility."

I couldn't help the hopeful smile on my face. She chuckled. "I will need a reference from your current job, so you can email, fax, or mail it to me." She wrote down her information. "My current manager is relocating with her husband, but it won't be until the end of August. I have a few more interviews lined up, but I am willing to keep you in mind for this position. You have a good knowledge of the classics; that seems to fall by the wayside with some people. You also seem to have a good sense of responsibility and a definite willingness to work, so that works in your favor."

She stood up and I followed suit. She held her out to me, and I shook it. "Send me your references, and I'll be in touch with you."

I felt Jake come up behind me and saw Melanie's eyes widen in surprise. I slipped my hand into Jake's and smiled. "This is my boyfriend Jacob," I said. "Jake, this is Melanie Roth, the owner of the store. We just had an interview for a position I'm interested in."

If he was surprised, he didn't show it. He just graciously shook her hand. "Nice to meet you," he said giving her the full-on, sunny Jacob smile which immediately brought out a smile from her.

"You too," she replied. "Well, I need to get back to work, but it was nice meeting you Bella and Jacob."

I paid for my purchases and once outside Jake turned to me. He looked a little pensive, but happy for me. "You okay?" I asked, swinging our hands a little.

"Yeah. I guess it makes me worry a little seeing you about to move on to a different phase of your life when I'm not moving with you."

"Oh Jake," I chided. "That hardly matters. You're going to live with me part-time until you're out of school, so don't worry."

He grinned happily. "Good. A place of our own is definitely something I want," he said, his grin turning lascivious.

I laughed. "Come on lets get something to eat."

We got containers of soup and sandwiches and since the weather was still holding out, I took him to the grassy spot where I had been with my friends' for the concert. There were a number of people out enjoying the relatively dry day, so we found a comfortable spot to eat.

Just as twilight began to fall, we headed back to the truck. I glanced up at the people milling about and frowned as a trickle of unease slithered down my spine when I saw a man shuffling along with other people. He was set off to the side a bit, obviously not with anyone; in fact people seemed to be giving him a wide berth. His long dark hair was tangled and covered his face, he wore ripped shorts and a t-shirt, and he moved with an oddly smooth and quick gait for someone who wasn't really moving that fast.

I noticed it all in a span of a few seconds and suddenly his face flashed to mine. His face was sharp, almost animalistic, his eyes lit strangely by the weak, fading sunlight. His lips curved into a facsimile of a smile, his teeth white and sharp. Feral sprang to mind.

Jake must've felt something for suddenly he jerked around and stared at the man, but he disappeared from view as fast as he had come into it. I was nearly stunned into silence, but I snapped out of it when Jake's body tensed and began to shake in fury. I could hear the growls deep in his chest.

"Jake, no," I whispered, completely shaken by that brief encounter. "There are too many people. Please… just take my home. Charlie and Qahla…" I trailed off as worry gnawed at me.

He slid into the truck immediately after urging me in and hurried out of the lot as fast as my truck would allow. He kept me tucked into his side, his hand occasionally stroking my hair as if to reassure himself that I was okay.

"What was that?" I murmured.

His jaw tightened. "It wasn't a vampire, I know that. It smelled too… earthy. It felt like an animal," he whispered. "There's something too familiar about it. I will figure this out," he said his voice stiff.

I didn't want to ask any more questions. I felt too disturbed by it all, so I just huddled into Jake's warm side and prayed we would be home soon.

I climbed into my bed, exhausted, glad that Charlie and Qahla were here with me safe and sound. I was getting close to pleading with Jake not to leave. I didn't want him out there; I didn't want any of them out there.

He stretched out next to me on my bed. His fingers twined with my hair as his lips pressed against my temple, my cheek, and my lips. "I won't be out that long, Bella," he murmured against my lips.

"You're just trying to distract me," I murmured back, not quite ready to stop kissing him.

I felt him smile. "A little. Is it working?"

"Well, I still don't want you to leave."

He rubbed his thumb along my jaw. "How about I stay until you fall asleep? Then two members of the packs will be guarding the house until I can come back and stay with you the rest of the night."

I had gotten used to him staying with me – and although I knew I couldn't milk it too much longer with Charlie – I wasn't ready to give that up. I didn't want to be a completely dependent wimp, though, so I just nodded. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt him press against me from behind. I snuggled back into him, trying to purge my mind of all that had happened, and let thoughts of us lull me to sleep.

My dreams were thankfully vague and blurry, so while my sleep was a little restless, I slept through until I felt Jake slide back into bed with me hours later.

"Jake?" I mumbled pressing closer to him. "S'okay?"

"Yeah, honey. Go back to sleep." I felt his lips press gently against my eyelids as I drifted back to sleep again.

I was pulled out of a deep sleep later when I felt Jake's body jerk against mine. My eyes snapped open; I was fuzzy and confused. Hours had passed since he came back to bed. It was nearly 6 a.m.

"Jake… wha…?" I managed to mumble.

Then we heard the cacophony of howls coming from somewhere close in the forest. Jake flew out of bed to the window, as I sat up with a jerk, fear paralyzing me there. Jake turned to me, fear for me and wanting to protect his pack and friends warring on his face. "Jake…" I didn't know how to finish the sentence.

Charlie threw his door open; Jake looked at me. "I'll be right back," he whispered.

He jerked past Charlie as he appeared in my doorway, rumpled and fear etched across his face. "Get your gun and stay here with Bella," Jake said as he disappeared.

"Jake where the hell are you going?!" Charlie yelled. "Dammit!" He disappeared for a few seconds and was back with his Glock.

I was at the window, straining to see something, hoping that Jake was okay. My stomach was shaking, my teeth were chattering, and I was scared out of my wits. Charlie was alternating between being pissed and scared, but his gun hand was steady. He wrapped his other arm around me, holding me tightly against him.

"Shit, what am I doing?" he grumbled. "Need to call the station… still half-asleep…" he continued muttering as he went to get the phone.

Suddenly the door slammed shut and I jumped in surprise. I flew past Charlie to the top of the stairs, jerking to a stop, suddenly unsure of going downstairs. "Jake?" I whispered, my voice trembling in fear.

"It's me, Bells," he whispered back coming up the stairs. I nearly fell down the stairs in my haste to get to him. He caught me and held me tight.

"What the hell do you have to say for yourself, Jacob?" Charlie growled angrily. "You don't go outside to confront whatever the hell was making that racket! You leave that up to the professionals." His mouth was in a tight line and his jaw was clenched.

"Charlie, I'm sorry. I panicked and I wanted to make sure Bella was safe. I didn't go far," he whispered remorsefully.

Charlie berated him for a few more minutes and then muttered something about having to get ready for work. Jake and I lay back on my bed, his arms tight around me, and kept quiet. After Charlie left, he ushered me downstairs and the pack made their way into the house. My mouth dropped open; Jared's face had a few nasty gashes, Seth's arm looked like it had been bent wrong, and Paul was limping.

They were all quiet as they sat down in the living room. Kim and Emily were with them now and they herded me into the kitchen. "But… they're hurt. I have to give them something to…"

"They'll be okay," Emily said quietly. "They just need a chance to heal. Come on, let's just get something to eat."

Emily and I had started buying extra food for these occasions so we pulled out boxes of cereal, spoons, bowls, and milk and took it in. After everything had been eaten, I saw the cuts had mostly healed on everyone and Seth's arm looked straighter.

"It was Victoria and the wolves," Sam said quietly. My eyes widened; they were wolves? What the hell did that mean?

"Victoria tried to get to your house, but we stopped her," he continued. "Unfortunately she got away. Again. Jared managed to rip part of her arm off, though, in the process. We couldn't go after her because the wolves came out of nowhere and attacked us. We barely managed to fend them off."

The seconds ticked by as that sank in. I couldn't believe it. I thought all the wolves were supposed to be protectors. "It was more Quileute wolves that attacked all of you? That attacked me and Charlie?"

Paul rubbed a hand over his face. "It can't be Quileute wolves. They aren't designed that way. It gave us a scare, too, but this is something else. Something evil."

They discussed the clues; the human bone lodged in the tree, the mixed prints of human and animal, the attacks that happened so fast on me and Charlie that we never got a good look, the fact that I thought I saw the russet fur of Jake as a wolf when I went into the woods, and the man from yesterday in Port Angeles.

They all looked worn out, and I felt terrible knowing most of them would be out again today. The meeting broke up quickly afterward; they wouldn't take too much time away from the forest. Leah was going to take Kim and Emily home and then join up with them. Jake sat at the kitchen table after they left, staring down with a frown of concentration.

I laid my hand on his shoulder, scared for him and our friends', angry that this was putting them at risk.

Jake's head snapped up. "I know what it is," he gasped.

Too many things happened at once. Jake stared at me, his eyes glazed over as whatever he remembered hit him. My mind was a jumbled mess of emotion, my breath caught somewhere in my lungs, unable to escape.

My mind was trying to protect itself by flashing images of me and Jake in Florida together, wrapped around each other in bed, riding on his back in wolf form, walking on the beach hand in hand.

As this was all happening, the doorbell began to ring incessantly and I heard the door slam open.

"Bella?!" a distinctly familiar clear-as-a-bell voice called out. The sound was sweet and melodic.

I knew instinctively. I whirled around in utter disbelief to find Alice and Carlisle standing in the doorway of the kitchen, staring at me. Emotions ripped through me like a tidal wave; anger, happiness, regret, elation, and uncertainty. It was just one shock after another this morning. I stood there, staring back at them, unsure of how to react. Jake had stiffened behind me.

"Carlisle? Alice?" I questioned faintly not knowing what to do.

Alice stepped forward, making my decision for me, as she wrapped her strong, ice-cold arms around me. I laid my head on her cold shoulder; she still had a sweet smell, though it was fainter for me. We all stood there; Carlisle off to the side and close to Alice. Jake was close behind me, his body emanating anger and fear, while Alice and I stood in the middle of the kitchen in an embrace. We were in our own play and all of us were completely uncertain of our next line.

A/N: I know, I know… I'm leaving it with unanswered questions again! But at long last you WILL find out next chapter what it is. Cross my heart. Haha.

***Been brought to my attention about M-rated fics being pulled. As far as I know it's more graphic fics that are being targeted. I believe mine is within TOS guidelines. But just in case I will make an LJ and post it in the next chapter as a back-up place to put the story if something were to happen.***