Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer but the plot is all mine!

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and continuing to read this story. Shout out to my favourite twins your enthusiasm keeps me going! It's been a busy week for me so it's not a lengthy chapter but we need to move this story on and I don't want to leave you hanging a day longer…

Now the story continues…

Chapter 29 – Mark me

Bella giggled as Jacob smothered her body in bubbles the shower they were taking together was lasting much longer than it normally would if they had showered alone…

"Stop that she squealed it tickles!" Jacob just laughed as he ran a hand up and down her leg his mouth trailing after nipping at her soft skin. It was good to hear her laugh he thought and she needed this small respite from the real world they both did. He silently thanked his dad for giving them this precious alone time. He sighed a little as he stood up and began rinsing the shampoo from her long hair. In reality things were a long way from normal and Bella's safety had almost been compromised last night.

His eyes narrowed a little Cullen had gotten too big for his boots and needed taking down a peg or two. Once he had finished in the shower he would get one of the wolves to contact Carlisle Cullen after all they had the photo's Edward had foolishly shared to taunt him... The head leech needed to know what his precious son had done last night and which family members had assisted. Maybe once he had seen the snaps he would believe. He took in a deep breath and blew it out loudly making little chill bumps rise all over Bella's bare shoulder in response. Despite the evidence Jacob knew deep down he was going to have to threaten Carlisle with ending the treaty before he would take his sparkly son in hand…

"There…" he announced spinning Bella round to face him "All done". She looked up at him with trusting eyes and for a moment his heart clenched. What he was going to suggest to her later would cause her pain…even put her very life in danger but it had to be done …he just had to break it to her as gently as he could.

Bella reached up and lightly stroked his jaw it was still stubbly as he had yet to shave but something was eating at Jacob…she knew him too well.

"What's wrong Jake?" she asked her big brown eyes wide with concern

"Nothing." He immediately answered and a little too quickly for her liking. He passed her a large towel and gently lifted her out of the bath

"Well I think something is wrong Jacob" she replied "And if you want breakfast you'd better tell me" she stood on tip toe and kissed him "Mmmm" she murmured "Why is it you taste so scrumptious? Jake smiled a little. He kissed her back then deepened the kiss as Bella moaned loudly

"So do you…" he panted a little as he broke the kiss "Must be wolfy magic" he winked at her then his face grew serious he knew he couldn't keep anything from her…never could. He sighed then said "There is something important we need to talk about Bells…"

"Edward?" she asked as she wrapped the large towel tightly round her small body then using a corner she began to wipe away the few droplets of water that hadn't evaporated with his supernatural heat from his magnificent pecs. Her eyes caught his again

"It's sort of to do with him…" Jacob nodded "But more to do with my wolf and your safety." Before she could ask another question he bustled her out of the bathroom "Go and get dried whilst I shave then we can talk some more" She eyed him warily then

"Hmmm" Bella replied "Don't think you can distract me Black…" Her eyes narrowed "Now you've started to talk I need to know the rest…"

"Go!" He practically Alpha ordered her and Bella just adored an assertive Jacob. She blew him a kiss over her shoulder and he growled in response as a wave of arousal hit him and the wolf head on but he stood his ground arms folded across his broad chest the Alpha in him refusing to budge.

"Ok ok I'm going!" she huffed as gathering the towel she headed for Rebecca and Rachel's room.

Jacob wiped the steam from the small mirror over the sink. Two sad dark eyes looked back at him. He'd made the decision to mark her last night now it was just a matter of where and when…

"Soon" The wolf growled impatiently "She needs to be marked as ours." Jake could do nothing but agree with the ancient spirit the longer he put this off the more danger it put Bella in. He turned on the faucet and filled the little sink with hot water lifting his razor he began to shave…tomorrow he decided I'll do it tomorrow but first he needed to check in with Old Quil he could do with the old man's advice …what to do what to prepare.

The razor dropped from his hands into the sink with a splash as realisation sank in …what if he couldn't control the wolf…what if the bite killed her? The thought of all those imprints who had died until marking was banned came back to haunt him "Fuck" he cursed loudly he'd just found Bella and now what he was planning to do could possibly take her away from him for ever.

"Jacob Black!" Her voice carried down the hallway from the small kitchen where she was cooking "What are you doing in there admiring yourself in the mirror?"

I wish that's all I was doing Jacob thought in response "Just shaving Bells I'll be out in two sec's" he replied as he rinsed the last of the shaving cream off his face and watched the dirty water gurgle away down the sink. As the last bubble disappeared Jake straightened himself up "You're an Alpha wolf" He told his reflection "Descended directly from Taha Aki himself you won't fail her ever" he dried his face on a towel and headed to his room to get dressed.

Having ate the last of the bacon Jacob looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of his mate who sat cup of coffee in hand watching him.

"What?" He asked shuffling around on his seat looking for all the world like an eight year old caught stealing cookie's

"You" Bella replied a soft smile on her lips "You're so funny when you've got something on your mind and not willing to share" She put her cup back down upon the table and stood, moving round to where he sat she crawled onto his lap and kissed him. Jacob sighed deeply as their lips parted with a moist smack of satisfaction. He wished moments like this would last forever but reality was about to kick in.

"Come on…" Bella began "Spill Jake you know it will only get worse you were never good at keeping secrets from me even big tribal secrets" She rolled her eyes at him as a small growl rumbled in his chest. Jacob pulled her close and inhaled her scent from her soft hair. She was right of course but still…

"I love you Bella…" he began "You are my world you know that." He looked deep into her eyes seeing only love reflected there "But there is a big decision we both need to make…"

"Cullen?" She replied

"He's part of it…" he hesitated "Maybe the reason for it but …" he looked away for a few moments gathering himself to tell her

"How close was he last night?" Bella suddenly asked catching Jake off guard he looked at her startled for a fraction of a second before the Alpha mask slipped back into place. She frowned a little in response "The truth now Black" she added. Jacob closed his eyes then rolled his lips

"He crossed the treaty line and was a few hundred yards from this house." Jacob watched the look of horror fleetingly pass across her face as she took a sharp breath. She wasn't expecting that… maybe crossed the treaty line to test the wolves but never did she imagine in her wildest dreams he would try to come to the Black family home. Seeing her reaction Jacob cuddled her close

"He would never have made it into the house Bella" he whispered in her ear "Embry and Leah would have taken him down and I would have torched him you know that"

"Was…was he alone?" Bella asked hoping he was…

"Nope" Jacob answered as her heart dropped into her stomach. "You know we can identify each of the Cullen's by scent." He looked into her eyes "Three other Cullen's were with him" She closed her eyes briefly before finding his again

"Who?" she barely whispered knowing in her heart exactly who it would be

"The pixie, her mate and the big one" he replied. The latter surprised her if she were honest with herself…

"Emmett" she sighed "He was alone?"

"Yes" Jacob began "His mate did not cross"

"I'm not surprised" A small smile appeared on her lips "Rosalie never liked me before and she certainly wouldn't help Edward to bring me into the Cullen family."

"Good" Jacob whispered nibbling at her ear "Because if I catch any of them on Quileute land again I'll tear them apart and burn them all to ash" Bella shivered in response as he nipped the side of her neck but her brain was busy whirring…

"Are you going to tell Carlisle?" she asked

"Yes" Jacob replied "Hopefully this afternoon. He needs to know that technically the treaty has been broken." He tucked a curl of hair behind her ear and their eyes locked together once more.

"Was that what you wanted to share?" she asked as his lips caught hers nipping at her bottom lip

"No…" he mumbled then deepened the kiss as Bella moaned deeply into his mouth. Her hands crept up to rest on either side of his face pulling him closer as their tongues entwined. Jake gently placed his own hands over hers and pulled away slowly not wanting to end the kiss but

"Bella we need to talk about…" he paused for a moment "Cullen has a supernatural hold on you and we need to stop him using it." Bella nodded it was her greatest fear to meet Edward again and be unable to deny him. Jake rolled his lips slightly as he held her hands in his own "We need to use something stronger, even stronger than imprinting, we need the kind of magic only the spirit wolf can bestow upon you" Her eyes widened in response

"Marking…" they both said in unison then looked surprised at each other

"You know about marking?" Jacob began shaking his head a little his small mate never ceased to amaze him

"Old Quil…" Bella replied "When we were looking for something in the old manuscripts to break the imprints" she lowered her eyelashes rather coyly as a blush crept onto her cheeks "Your Imprint in particular" she added a small smile as Jacob looked at her in astonishment

"How much do you know?" he quietly asked but he already knew the answer. This had the hallmarks of old Quil all over it…he had prepared the way for the inevitable.

"I know it is powerful magic Jacob" she sighed "But it's not without danger." Her eyes caught his and she could see the pain on his handsome face "You have to mark me Jake…" She hesitated for a moment then whispered "I want you to mark me…" her eyes earnest.

As if hit by an electrical current Jacob's large body twitched beneath her in response to her request. Bella watched holding her breath as his eyes widened the edge of the iris turning gold…the wolf was near. She swallowed hard…the request she had just made obviously meant a lot more to his wolf she thought this needed handling with care.

He softly whined as her eyes searched his looking for the Jacob she knew. Taking a deep breath Bella asked "Is this what it's all about Jake …what's eating you alive?" Her small hand slowly rubbed the side of his strong jaw back and forth in a lupine gesture he clearly enjoyed

He nodded a little then closed his eyes leaning into her touch. Bella wasn't sure what to do next as a low rumble emanated from his broad chest … "Old Quil told me that you would need to mark me once you accepted me as your mate." She added the low rumble faltered for a second and Bella pulled the edge of her bottom lip into her mouth and nibbled "He hoped to smash the imprint you had with Jessica" The rumble stopped and Jacob tipped his head from side to side in that lupine way they all displayed when the wolf was near…

Bella began to fiddle with the edge of her t shirt when a large hand covered her own, his heat seeping into her skin. When she looked up into his eyes they were deep brown. The man was once more in control….

"Then you also know the possible consequences of such an act?" He asked his eyes were serious, as they looked into hers. Bella nodded. He frowned at her. "I can't do that to you…" Jacob began inwardly pushing the beast back down as it struggled clawing and howling. "I won't do something so…so barbaric…" he hesitated then looking away from her. "What if I hurt you real bad Bells…maybe even…" he couldn't bring himself to utter the words

"No if's and but's …It won't happen…" She sounded so adamant as she pulled his face back round to hers. "You are descended from Taha Aki himself Jake if anybody can successfully mark a mate it's you!" The wolf somersaulted with joy at her words and Jake closed his eyes as his heart swelled with pride at her courage and faith. But above all Bella loved him so much that she trusted her very life to him. He opened his eyes and stared into her own deep bottomless pools of love. She placed a hand over his heart

"This is what matters" she told him "What you feel in here will guide you, guide us both. You are my soul mate Jacob Black and I will never stop loving you whatever happens" He placed his own hand over hers and lifted it to his lips gently placing a kiss on each fingertip. The great Spirits had truly blessed him the day they created her she was indeed a gift…

"Mine" he growled as the wolf howled in delight "Forever…" he whispered

"Forever yours" she sighed in return. He softly smiled before he rose from his chair and taking Bella with him stalked back up the hallway to bed.

000

Charlie sat opposite Billy at Sue's kitchen table. They had picked Billy up from Old Quil's on the way back from the clinic with Seth and now having eaten a late brunch Charlie sat coffee in hand contentedly watching Sue bustle around her kitchen. He felt full and strangely at peace and that hadn't happened in a long time…hell not since Renee left he thought to himself.

Billy watched Charlie as he followed Sue around the kitchen with his eyes. He smiled to himself. He knew a man who was smitten when he saw one and it was plain obvious that Charlie was smitten with Sue Clearwater. He sipped his coffee to disguise the smile on his lips because unless he was mistaken, from the little smiles Sue had been giving Charlie the feeling was mutual.

He glanced at the clock he sure hoped Jacob and Bella had put the time alone together to good use and discussed a few things…marking …being amongst them. Old Quil had agreed with him that given the Cullen's incursion onto tribal land last night the need for Jake to mark Bella was becoming critical. His eyes slipped back to Charlie who thankfully was still oblivious to the fact that if his old friend was seated opposite him then Bella and Jacob were alone in the house and seeing he had picked him up from Old Quil's they had been alone for some time too. Sooner or later Chief Swan would remember and when he did Billy just hoped that they wouldn't find their offspring in a compromising position.

Seth tucked away the last of the bacon and sat back feeling satisfied he was glad to be home. He glanced at Charlie and smiled again it felt good that Charlie Swan was in the know at last Seth hated all the lies and deceit surrounding the pack now he could relax around the Chief.

As Sue stepped outside to hand out some washing Charlie snapped out of his love induced coma and looked at his old friend and Sue's young son who both sat watching him. Seth had a huge grin on his lips as it dawned on him exactly how much Chief Swan admired his Mom.

"What? Charlie asked like a petulant teenager

"Nothing…" Billy laughed swirling the remains of his coffee cup around before swallowing the lot in one go. Charlie's eyes snapped back to Seth whose own smile fell off his lips as Chief Swans eyes narrowed

"I've got some homework to finish" he began it was then Charlie Swan remembered as his eyes snapped back to Billy. His old friend sighed times up Jake he thought

"Where's Jacob?" Charlie began

"Back at the house" Billy answered

"Bella…?" Charlie winced

"With him?" Billy replied. He mentally counted to ten …got to four actually when…

"Right!" said Charlie rising from his chair "Better get you back then." Billy wanted to laugh but knew that would just infuriate Charlie all the more. Sue chose that moment to come back in from the yard just as Charlie was grabbing his jacket and keys

"You going now Charlie?" she asked looking a tad disappointed "I was sort of hoping you'd be able to stick around a bit you know…it…it being your day off and all…" she stuttered a little.

"Charlie needs to give me a lift back home…" Billy began he could see the torn but determined look on his friends face. He wants to see Bella and check she's not in bed with Jacob he thought to himself. Honestly the man needed to give himself a break that vein in his fore head will burst if he doesn't calm down. He took a deep breath "I've taken up enough of your time already Sue but thanks for the brunch and I'm pleased to see young Seth looking well"

Seth beamed a huge smile at his Chief he was glad too. The clinic with all that antiseptic was no place for a wolf with a keen sense of smell to be. He stood up and started to gather up the dirty dishes

Charlie blustered a little at Billy's words his moustache bristled. Part of him wanted to stay with Sue but the father in him wanted to protect his innocent daughter from an overgrown over sexed teenager, a teenager that morphed into a hulking great wolf. With that final thought Charlie thanked Sue and headed out the door

"Thanks for brunch Sue…" he called as she nodded looking a little sad. Then he hesitated as Billy rolled his chair through the doorway "Can I take you to dinner tonight?" He looked at her with a hopeful glint in his eye

"Sure Charlie I'd like that" Sue replied and just like that Charlie got himself a date the first in well he really didn't care to remember it had been so damn long…

000

Jake heard the cruiser approach but he and Bella were already fully dressed and tidying the small kitchen.

"Charlie approaching!" he laughed as Bella blushed in response biting her bottom lip. "Why Bells…" he mocked "You look so guilty what have you been doing?" She slapped his huge arm…

"Dork!" She huffed as he pulled her close and kissed her quick upon her soft lips

"I know what you have been doing all morning naughty girl." he whispered in her ear his hot breath sent shivers down her spine in response "And I want to be naughty again right now" Bella swallowed hard thank god her father was about to walk through the front door she thought. She really wanted Jacob too but to be honest she needed a rest or walking herself might not actually be an option. She blushed an even deeper shade of red at the thought Jake certainly set a pace when he made love…and she was starting to feel a little sore her limbs ached like she had run a marathon.

Jake chuckled as he watched her run to the door he just loved the effect he had on her. He sighed a little as he heard his father's chair being pushed up the ramp, alone time with Bella was well and truly over for the time being it would seem.

Charlie swung open the door and peered in like he expected to see something he really didn't want to… then breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them both standing there …fully clothed.

"Dad!" Bella yelled pleased to see him "Have you eaten?" Not everyone's first thought when greeting their father but Bella was a nurturer by nature and it was her way of showing love.

"Yeah" Charlie replied pushing his hair back from over his eyes. Damn he needed to go get a cut and soon. He eyed Jacob as he replied "Sue made brunch for Billy and I" That boy is looking pleased with himself Charlie thought "Seth's home" he added as his eyes caught Jacobs. Yep the boy looked satisfied he thought then swallowed hard satisfied with what and by whom. Jacob just smiled that megawatt smile of his as he watched the myriad of thoughts and feelings pass across Charlie's face which just wound him up more.

"It was good food as always Sue is a great cook" Billy began seeing the tension rising in Charlie. He glanced a little worriedly at his son but Jacob seemed to be enjoying the moment…for now. He breathed in a deep breath this was Bella's doing she calmed both the man and the wolf he was right to leave them alone. If this had been a few days ago, well Jake would have responded to Charlie in a much more aggressive manner. Somehow they had to figure out a way for Bella to move in with Jake permanently and without Charlie having a melt down.

"Watcha say we grab ourselves a couple of cold cans Charlie" Billy began "See if we can find a game on t v" Charlie's face lit up in response

"Sure Billy" he answered "Sounds good" He turned towards Jacob who was leaning against a kitchen cabinet his fingers itching to grab Bella but resisting the temptation as he and the wolf watched her open the fridge door.

Fuck Jake thought to himself as she bent down in front of him that sweet ass in the air, the wolf whined and pulled at the leash of his restraint. The sight of her bent over and ready sent a message straight to a part of him he couldn't control and throbbed in response. Jeez how the wolf wanted to take their little mate from behind...hear her moan as they filled her tight…a growl escaped his lips before he could silence it and his hulking mass pushed off the cabinet towards Bella.

She stood up and turned to face him almost laughing at the salacious look on his face then remembered they were not alone. Her head turned towards Charlie who was watching Jacob his eyes narrowed and the pulse on his forehead throbbing the air was thick with sexual tension… Quick as a flash she handed her father the cold beers and bustled him and Billy off into the lounge promising to find some snacks. Billy smiled at her and winked which just made her blush even harder in response…

Jacob took a deep breath as he looked up at the ceiling and rubbed a large hand across his face, grateful for the interruption to pull the wolf back under control. Now he had decided to mark her and the fact Bella had asked him herself, the wolf was desperate to get to his mate and he would not tolerate anyone who got in the way…and that included Charlie. Wolves by nature were possessive jealous creatures.

Jacob the man was no different…he was at the mercy of wolf instincts where his mate was concerned. If it was bad now what the fuck was it gonna be like once he marked her?

He closed his eyes and blew the air out between clenched teeth taking the opportunity to rearrange a hot bulging part of himself that strained uncomfortably against his cut offs. There was nothing he could do he decided other than face Charlie head on. The time spent with Bella that morning had relaxed him but both the wolf and his Alpha side would eventually run out of patience with Chief Swan. He was distracted from his thoughts as a red faced Bella came back to where he was standing. Her scent wafted over him and he greedily breathed it in.

"Honestly Jacob…" she began "You almost gave Charlie a heart attack back there its ok when were alone but…" he was just about to grab her for another kiss when Charlie re appeared in the doorway. Jake took that as his sign to be off he needed to check in with the pack and Old Quil anyways. Nodding at Charlie he gently kissed the top of Bella's head his deep brown eyes holding Charlie's gaze

"Pack business" he began as Bella looked up at him "I'll be back later" He patted her rear possessively and with one last wink at a red faced Charlie he left.

000

Carlisle Cullen was not expecting to receive a call from the number that now flashed on his cell. He sighed a little as he pressed call connect this was bound to be bad news…only bad news would get him a call from the La Push wolf pack.

"Dr Cullen" He began in his well-practiced professional manner" How may I assist?"

"Maybe leaving Washington State and taking your family with you would be a start" Jacobs deep Alpha voice rumbled down the cell

"Why would I want to do that young Alpha we have done nothing to anyone, we live a peaceful life and may I remind you that the Treaty between us still stands" Carlisle's voice sounded smug as he answered Jake.

"Yeah well technically…" Jacob chuffed "Your boy Edward broke the Treaty last night by coming onto Tribal land." Carlisle took in sharp breath he really didn't need

"Are you sure?" he retorted in a voice that clearly stated he thought Jake was mistaken. "There's no reason why Edward would do such a thing he knows how important the Treaty is to this family"

"Maybe so" Jacob growled "But his obsession with Bella Swan outweighs such a small thing in his books"

"You must be mistaken" Carlisle continued "Are you sure he didn't just wander over onto your side?"

"If you mean wandering up to my house as being on our side as you put it…" Jacob ground out ""Then yes he did"

How do I know this is the truth?" Carlisle began his mind whirring knowing deep down Edward was capable of being so stupid…especially over Bella but he was stalling for time…

"Why don't you ask some of his siblings?" Jake retorted "He wasn't alone…" Carlisle closed his eyes and sighed "Plus" Jacob added "We have proof that he's done this before"

"What do you mean?" Carlisle snapped "He's done this before…"

"I've got photos good doctor, photos of Bella on the Rez and Edward sent them to me to taunt us." Jacob growled. Carlisle closed his eyes and sighed this was bad news…

"We need to meet Jacob Black" he spoke quietly with no emotion "Same place as always?

Agreed Jacob replied then ended the call

AN: Now it's settled. Jake made his mind up and Bella by asking to be marked sealed the deal.

Till next time friends…xoxox