The Twilight saga is owned by Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing but my imagination and a headache brought on by boring training courses

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Thanks for all the reviews I love them…

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Chapter Twenty Six

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(Jacob's POV)

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Soul Mate? I think not.

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She dragged her feet as she pulled me feebly into our haven, my VW Rabbitt was sitting there with the hood up, honestly it was ready to go, all I needed to do was tune the engine and fix the upholstery, but who had time these days, maybe I will have it done in time for her birthday so I can drive her on our date, and try to be romantic. But that's not what is important now, my Bella was in pain and so was I. I really thought my wolf was going to come out and eat my father when he explained to me why I hadn't seen my Bells for three years.

I understood the danger and the repercussions of us being separated once we had reached puberty but HELL this was just not good enough. I want to scream just thinking of what Bella had to suffer, it was bad enough the loneliness' of being separated but that stupid shrink sending her to get Electric Shock Therapy at her age must of being so scary.

With the sounds of it, Bella spent every day alone in school and at home, instead of doctors and drugs and procedures maybe if her Mom had been at home with her more she wouldn't have got as depressed. I was starting to remember the Septembers after Bella left and yeah they were gruesome but my Dad and friends always pulled me out of it. I never felt complete when she was not here but I managed to survive and I even had a happy life, but my poor Bells never had that chance. Yeah she had a roof over her head and was protected from things that went bump in the night but the thought of the solitude she suffered made the wolf and man in me want to hit the floor and just weep. How my father knowingly left her in that position, I will never understand and wanting to tell my mate that I had a girlfriend to keep us apart was inexcusable. He is very lucky he did not do that as I would not have been able to hold the wolf back, Dad seems to have forgotten the number one law of the pack is not to cause harm to an imprint. The catastrophic reaction she could have had to me being with someone else may have caused permanent mental health issues especially as she was so fragile at the time, I really just don't understand. It shows just how right Mom was, he was a fool when it came to imprinting.

Bella pushed me down on the old car seat which was against the wall of the garage. She then crawled onto my lap facing me with her legs straddling my hips. She pulled my t-shirt over my head and flung it on the floor. She then did the same with her own. She moved closer to me and pressed herself into my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck. She burrowed her head into my neck and she was rubbing her hands up and down my biceps, in a ritualistic like motion. She held on to me as tight as she could skin to skin, the only thing which separated our upper bodies was her small lace bra. There was nothing sexual in our movements or position we just needed to feel and touch one and other, to feel the balance of our connection again. The chance of our imprint bond being damaged by another scared the crap out of both of us and we just needed each other to restore equilibrium. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the top of hers, I breathed her in, her smell, her touch, her heat…I had to have her essence surround me, it made my wolf and the man feel content. The fact that Bella instigated this position tells me she feels the need to be close. I have no idea how long I spent holding Bella's near naked body but by the stiffness in my neck when I moved tell me we were there for a very long time. I realised that there was someone coming towards us, I didn't want Bella, to be embarrassed so I quickly move her so that she is hidden from the door by my body.

It was Paul, typical probably the only wolf I wouldn't kill for interrupting us at this moment.

"Yes." I spat out.

"Sorry for interrupting you guys but I gave you as much time as I could." Looking up at the ceiling he kept his eyes away from my mate which saved him some trouble. "Jake I need you to go on patrol now, it's midday, unless you want me to cover for you which mean you will be patrolling tonight in my place and Bella will be alone."

I look down at Bella, "You okay? Will I stay?"

"Yes, you go I'll be fine." She grabs the nearest t-shirt which is mine and she puts it on, its huge on her, and goes nearly to her knee, it's like a dress on a little girl, she just seems so delicate today, so fragile, it's like all her power and strength have been sucked out of her, I guess the memories were awful as well as the feeling of abandonment and I'm not sure if she feels this way but I feel completely deceived I don't know what to do, I don't want to leave her, but I don't want her on her own tonight either. I could feel my stress levels grow and I knew she was feeling my emotions; she leaned up and kissed me softly and gently. She whispered as she ghosted her lips over mine. "I'll be okay; I just have to prepare for meeting the Cullen's, you go now so that you can be back here with me later. Oh… actually Jake would you mind if I went and reviewed the treaty in Paul's, if that's okay with you Paul?"

"Yeah sure, that'll give us a chance to talk about what you want to plan for tonight." Paul agreed still looking up at the ceiling. He was funny he always treated Bella with such respect. I wonder why he treated other girls so badly.

"Okay I'll see you soon." I kissed her gently just one last time; I really did not want to let her go. Stupid, friggen vampires they were always getting in the way.

I wasn't fooled Bella wanted to stay away from Dad, not that I can blame her, she probably trusted him the most out of all of us and it'll be hard for him to regain that if ever. I know if it wasn't for the leeches she would be moving back to her dads this minute. How could dad have been so stupid to cause this pain to my imprint? He should have known better. I wandered back into the forest and forced myself to phase and I was soon met by Embry's thoughts.

"Are you okay man? He asked carefully.

"Yeah, I think so, but I am so angry with Dad?" I force myself to remain calm as I start to trot towards the patrol route. "I can understand him not telling Charlie and Renee about the situation but he at least could been honest with me and Bells, why did they not tell us?"

"I don't agree with him but you have to admit your situation was a bit new, he was making it up as he went along hoping everything would work out for the best." Embry considered softly.

"But having Bella committed into a mental institution was not the way to go, The Spirits only knows what would have happened if he had actually told her I had a girlfriend in her depressed state. I can't stop thinking about it; it scares the crap out of me." I start to run through the forest faster and faster trying to fight the demons that were making my anger so powerful.

"I know bro, and I don't think you are wrong, I saw her a few times last year and she always looked a step away from jumping off the cliff." Embry admitted. "I should have gone to talk to her but you know me I just couldn't go up to a girl I hardly know and start talking to her, you know, sorry Jacob I let you down there."

"What? You saw her why didn't you tell me? Damn Embry what were you thinking?" I stopped in my tracks.

"I was thinking you weren't interested anymore, you used to talk about her all the time it was damn annoying it was Bells this, Bells that. I knew it was not normal the way the pair of you were, I was never allowed in your house when she was visiting… and then suddenly you just stopped talking about her and I see her around last year when I was with Quil, he mentioned it to his grandfather who tells him that you both were not friends anymore and we should not mention her to you in case it causes you more pain. He wouldn't say anymore and I got distracted by something." I sense him trying to remember everything. "Then just after we broke up from school this summer Quil and I were down at the beach and we saw Bella with the Forks crowed which was the first time I saw her speak to anyone else but you, so we decided instead of telling you we saw her we dragged you down instead! And we were right, the rest is history!" Embry said smugly.

"Hmmm come on let's find leeches." I sighed, there was no point talking about this anymore.

Embry and I ran patrol around La Push for the rest of the day until Paul called us back to his house, needless to say we were starving and thankfully Bella had prepared food for all of us. We weren't used to meeting up in Paul's and even though it was a small house there was less furniture so more room for werewolves.

I found Bella in the kitchen as always and she seemed happier than she was when I left her, as soon as I stepped quietly into the room she turned as she sensed my presence; she smiled at me and ran into my arms. I could feel the calmness wash from me into her.

As hard as it is for me to deal with everything that is going on having the internal wolf certainly helps, it's like his acceptance of all things weird helps me gain perspective. Not only does Bella not have that she is also dealing with the power of the Alpha which is not something she was designed to do and she is also dealing with being centre of attention which she is certainly not used to. She just amazes me how she is able to adapt.

She reluctantly let me go and pulled two plates out of the oven one for Embry and one for me. "Here you go guys, I wasn't sure if your brothers would leave you anything. "

"Thanks Bella." Embry smiled and he took his meal and carried into the living room were the rest of the wolves were congregated.

Shepard's pie my favourite, this was the most filling meal ever it was made with mincemeat, potatoes with carrots and peas but it tasted so good and nearly helped remove the constant hunger form my stomach. I wonder who she got to peel all the potatoes since I was not around to do it. I gulped the food back and walked back over to Bella and pulled her into my arms.

"Are you okay?" I whisper into her ear as I began nibbling on her ear lobe.

"Yeah I just want to say I'm sorry." She said sadly.

"Why are you sorry?" Now I am really confused, what happened when I was on patrol?

"I'm sorry for thinking you didn't want to spend time with me," She whispered into my chest. "I'm sorry for believing Billy when he said you were sick, I'm really sorry that I actually thought you were distracted by a girlfriend and didn't want me around anymore."

I just shook my head, "Yeah well I am sorry too because I thought all those things about you as well. I'm also sorry that it was my stupid father that was to blame."

"I talked to Paul and he is sorry as well, he wanted to tell us but Billy was still his Alpha so he had to submit. He tried to convince Billy he was wrong. He said that your dad was a brilliant kind man and an excellent Alpha but when it came to imprinting or the mystics he was as dumb as a box of rocks." She smiled though her tears. "Sarah said the same remember? Paul actually had another letter for me from your mom. He wasn't sure if it was the right time to give it to me but she told him to give it to me when I knew about him and when Billy had done something stupid."

"Dang! My mother was freaky how did she know?"

Bella was giggling "According to Paul, Billy doing something dumb, was a regular occurrence so he knew he would be giving it to me sooner rather than later."

"What did it say?" I asked gently knowing how happy Moms letters made her feel but also filled her full of sadness.

"I don't know yet, I want to meet up with the Cullen's first, I know it will make me feel sad and I need to be alert and strong for tonight." She spoke confidently but with a frown.

I held her tight and kissed her with a force that I didn't know I was feeling, I completely ravaged her lips and pulled her tight to me, yet again I had her on my lap without realising it. I broke away when my lungs were about to explode from lack of oxygen. We both sat there panting for breath, chests rising and falling quickly. I gazed into her big brown eyes and was happy to see amusement twinkling back at me.

When she was eventually able to speak she asked, "What was that about?"

I just shook my head, "I'm not sure but I just had to touch, feel and taste you there, I think it's my wolf panicking about you being around those smelly bastards."

She just shook her head and stood up, grabbing my hand. "Come on." We went into the living room to the rest of the pack and the two girls.

Bella stood in front of everyone, "Leah, Kim you will stay here, it is not safe for you to come and you will only distract Sam and Jared. Embry will you patrol along the La Push line, I do not want to leave the tribe unprotected, Jake and Sam will remain in wolf form so you can see and hear what is going on."

"Why am I to stay in wolf form?" I was not happy that I could not hold her close in front of the leeches.

"Because Jake, I am not sure if you will be able to keep your shape if they are talking to me. I want Sam to stay with you as he may have some control over you. I am not doing this to annoy you; I know this is going to be hard on all of you." She explained.

"Bella you do know that I am the most temperamental of all the wolves, 18 years later and I still phase if someone makes a loud noise." Paul said firmly to Bella looking a little sheepish.

Bella rubbed Paul's arm. "Maybe Paul but have you not noticed you never phase accidentally when I'm in the room so I expect that this will be the same. If you feel you cannot keep your shape, phase into wolf and have Sam phase into human form.

Paul nodded. "Just curious why do you want one of us in human form?"

"Because even though I'm your Alpha and part Quileute I do not feel I have the right to speak for you, and I would not make decisions without your input and I cannot speak wolf, although I do think I can tell the difference between howls now, especially the "I'm hungry and on my way home for food howl"". We all laughed,

"Bella how are we going to get you there, it's quite a way into the forest." I suddenly realised.

"That's what I thought, well lucky for me my mom used to date a guy who had a couple of horses so I learned how to ride a horse, I'm sure wolf back riding will be just as much fun." She was obviously trying not to laugh.

My wolf roared at the anticipation of having Bella's beautiful long legs wrapped tightly around his body as I ran through the forest, oh god I will be phased with my brothers and they will be able to hear my thoughts while she is straddling me, does she realise that I will be naked? Oh this is going to be hard. I looked at Paul and Embry they were both trying to keep a straight face; she really had no idea the effect she had on me, and how much fun my brothers were going to have at my expense.

Sam tried to take pity on me and suggested as he was still technically the biggest wolf he could carry her, Bella thankfully declined, no matter how much I would be embarrassed by what the others saw in my mind while I carried her, the thought of another touching her just made me mad.

We went outside and the boys ran into the woods to phase, I went behind a tree phased and lopped back out to Bella. She came up and whispered in my ear. "You are so beautiful and I love both you and your wolf and I am sorry for this but I order you not to think of me in any sexual way while carrying me on your back phased with your brothers."

I looked at her and yipped in happiness, thank the spirits, I think I would have died if she had not given me that order. I lay down and Bella used the step to climb up on my back also aided by Leah and Kim. When I felt she was secure I walked into the forest and we met up with our brothers. The boys were laughing at me telling me I wouldn't be able to hold back the inappropriate thoughts and they would have great fun in teasing me and Bells later. I just laughed and ran gently to the treaty line.

Bella was so light I nearly forgot she was there until she began stroking my fur, and whispering "I always wanted a horse when I was little but having my own wolf is even better, so much faster."

I was laughing at her craziness holding a conversation with me and I could not even speak but she seemed to understand what I was thinking.

Suddenly all laughter disappeared as I was hit by the god awful smell of rotting bleached flesh. We were about 3 miles from the treaty line and the smell was getting worse, all 7 vamps must be there. Great Spirit if I don't quite this shaking I will phase into another type of animal thankfully I am not in human form I would have fursploded around a mile back if I was, Bella was right there was no way I could remain calm when she was in such close proximity to leeches. I really do hope Paul can stay in one form long enough for this meeting.

"I'll do my best baby Black." Paul snarled.

"Hey what's with the nick name?" I growl.

"Oh just trying it out for size, I can't call you anything too rude or Bella will have my head. Your mate is older than you and Alpha, so yeah you're Baby Black and she is Alpha Black.

"But we are not married yet"? I am now really confused.

"According to tribe you are, she has accepted your imprint so therefore you are at the initial stages of your marriage ritual, when you seal the imprint the marriage ceremony is complete as the bond is permanent and can we please talk about this some other time?" he groused. "Seriously have you not noticed that everyone calls her Bella Black now?"

"Yeah but I thought you were just teasing" I was so confused.

"Nope, not teasing." He confirmed.

"Does she know?" I query.

"Emm I think so, she spoke to Sue and Leah about all this for ages so I presume she knew maybe she was waiting for you to accept it." Sam confirmed.

"Thanks guys you have just made this awful day into the best day ever!" I was so happy I could dance.

"Urgh I hope I am not as weird as you when I imprint." Jared shook his head gazing at me with his big wolf eyes.

"Okay guys heads in the game we are nearly here," Paul spoke.

We stopped a few hundred metres from the treaty line, Paul phased forgetting that Bella was there, thankfully she realised what was happening and had hidden her head in my fur, all I could hear was a muffled. "Can I look now."

Paul just cracked up laughing, "Sorry Alpha, forgot you were there as all I can smell is that long haired excuse of a werewolf that you are straddling."

Bella just giggled, "Okay can you help me down?"

"NO, I was thinking as we ran over here maybe it would be a good idea for you to remain on Jacobs back so if we do have any problems we can get you out of there." Paul looked at me; I nodded as I really liked that idea.

Bella was silent for a few minutes. "Okay I agree but Jake no running me off because they are pissing you off okay only if there is a real threat to me."

I nodded slowly.

"So let's get this over with." Bella commanded.

We walked towards the treaty line slowly. When we reached the bloodsuckers it was amusing to see them looking shocked when they saw Bella on my back. I stood with Paul beside me and Sam the other side. Jared stood behind me. We were all in protection mode.

The seven corpses stared at Bella as if she was an apparition. I could sense her annoyance through the imprint.

After a fashion daddy leach spoke up. "Emm, thank you for meeting with us" he directed towards Paul.

"I could see through Jared's eyes that Bella just tilted her head to the right slightly as if waiting for him to speak more.

"Em we need to speak to the Alpha." the blond leech stated.

Bella just nodded.

"Can you tell me who the Alpha is?" He asked.

Suddenly there was a weird sound from behind the leader; A pale pasty faced leech that looked constipated was staring at Bella in complete shock.

"What is it Edward?" Blondie asked.

"It's Isabella Swan, the girl I told you about." He snarled.

"Are you sure, she looks different?" The small girl leech said.

"Of course I can recognise my soul mate, she is my Isabella and she should not be here with those savage dogs it is…"

I have no idea what else he said as I could not hear him over the roaring of my brothers and the screaming that was going on in my head.