Chapter 29: Taking Action

Jasper ditched them to go meet the girls when they arrived back at the house, causing Emmett to tease him about being whipped. Of course, when Rosalie entered the garage not too much later, Emmett quickly went to her side and gave her an open-mouthed smooch on her cheek. She'd grimaced at the drool left behind from the kiss and smacked the arm across her chest.

Jacob watched with a smirk on his face as Emmett was scolded. But then he blushed and had to look away as Emmett decided to turn the playful greeting into a full on make-out-and-grope session. Rosalie hadn't seemed to mind, giving just as good as she got. Neither were deterred that they had an unwilling witness.

After a few heated kisses, and some heavy moaning, the two broke apart. Jacob waited a few seconds (to make sure they weren't just taking a breather) before he looked back in their direction. Rosalie had moved towards the door, and Emmett was back in his spot on the other side of the bike from Jacob.

"Your things are downstairs," she informed him. Jacob nodded his thanks as she left, and then went back to putting his bike together, trying to ignore the scent of arousal rolling off Emmett.

Leah came in, not too long after Rosalie left, complaining about Jacob's laziness while she'd had to carry all his new clothing down to their room in the basement. He held up a hand as his excuse, and offered her a small smirk and a lifted eyebrow.

"You could have cleaned up," she told him, and shoved his shoulder. She stayed by his side running her fingers through his shortened hair, and watched him put the cleaned parts back together.

Her touch felt nice and comforting, but it wasn't the touch Jacob longed for.

Surprisingly enough, Leah left him to join Rosalie in the basement. The blonde had offered to help Leah sort and organize all the clothing Alice had insisted they buy. While Jacob was happy for Leah with making a friend, he was wary that it was the blonde Leah had bonded with. Even after learning what he had from Emmett and his own discoveries while checking-up on girls while they'd been gone, he still didn't know how to take Rosalie.

Jacob didn't see Leah again until it was time to make dinner. It was just the two of them at the house. Bella had agreed to meet Charlie for supper and a little father-daughter-bonding time. Jacob had tried not to think of his own dad or how much he missed him. The few phone calls Jacob'd had with Billy had been short and sweet, because neither of them had had much to say. Jacob hadn't wanted to worry his dad and risk Billy's health if he could prevent it.

The Cullens had left for the night on a short hunting trip since none of them had eaten in awhile. Carlisle assured Jacob they would be back by mid or late morning the next day. Bella had protested to Edward leaving, saying that they couldn't both leave Jacob alone and since she'd already had plans with her father Edward needed to stay behind and make sure nothing happened to Jacob.

Jacob was quick to inform her, and the others, that he would be fine. That he wasn't likely to kill over since Bella would only be gone for a few hours. Her worries were just unfounded and irrational. Jacob knew it was better for Edward to actually hunt something down and killed it rather than have the blood brought back to him. Edward needed to work out the pent up frustration and tension he'd been carrying around for days. A hunt would be good for him.

So Leah and he had the house all to themselves until Bella returned. Her visits with Charlie usually lasted a good two or three hours depending upon if Charlie managed to talk Bella into doing something. However, since Bella knew it was just going to be the two werewolves in the house, Jacob was almost positive she would try to cut her visit short. And without Alice to distract her, Bella was sure to make her displeasure and jealousy known.

Jacob felt bad for Alice, knowing it wasn't her job or responsibility to keep Bella occupied. If it was anybody's it was Edward's, but the two had become more and more distant since Jacob had awoken. Sure, Jacob would see them together, but there was space between them now. Bella had hardly touched Edward in the last two days since Leah had arrived. And when she did touch her husband, it was usually due to her being upset by Leah's teasing and closeness to Jacob.

It made his heart ache to see them so separated. Not too long ago he would have felt the opposite, but now that he knew his true feelings for the both of them he wanted them to be happy. Bella needed to accept Edward's rejection of the imprint and Jacob's decision to give Edward the distance he needed in order for him to shake the unwanted feelings the imprint was forcing upon him.

And Edward needed to quit following Jacob around and focus more on his wife. If the two would actually go and spend the day together, their relationship might just go back to how strong it used to be.

The problem between them was Jacob, but he couldn't remove himself any more from the situation than he already had. Since returning from La Push a few days ago, he made sure to be out of the house for most of the day. When he was at the house he was either in the garage or locked away in the basement. He only stayed in the main part of the house long enough to cook, eat his meals, and clean up his messes. He didn't want to intervene, because Bella would look at it as if he cared (which he did), and then become more persistent which would push Edward away from her even more. And Jacob didn't think he could live with himself if he caused the rift between them to grow any larger.

Jacob and Leah hadn't taken long with their dinner, and had shut themselves away in their room long before Bella returned. Jacob had to hand it to Leah, she had talked Alice into toning down on the colors and patterns. Most of his new wardrobe consisted of jeans and shirts. Granted they were designer, but they were a huge step up from the preppy attire she'd been trying to dress him in.

He also had several pairs of slacks and dress shirts (with no prints) that he guessed were for special occasions. What occasions, he didn't know. But he could see himself wearing them out and about if he had to go into town for something. Like a job interview, because he refused to remain a moocher the rest of his never-ending life. Besides, it was going to take him at least a years' pay to reimburse the Alice.

Leah managed to talk him into trying on a few outfits so she could "see if they fit right." He'd teased her about just wanting to see him with his clothes off. She replied that was just a perk. She'd pressed herself against his front and un-tucked his shirt, making him blush. He hadn't shied away though, so he was getting better. But he really needed to stop trying to beat her at her own game.

The call came when he was changing into his eleventh outfit. Since Leah was closer to the phone she answered it while Jacob zipped and buttoned his pants.

"What do you want?" she greeted with an exasperated sigh. Jacob frowned at her tone. It was too early for his friends or her brother to be calling so Leah hadn't known who was on the other end. Though to be honest, they hadn't really heard anyone calling for any of the Cullens in all the time they'd been staying with them.

Jacob thought it was strange for a bunch of kids who were supposed to be popular to not have any friends calling them up constantly to do things. Or maybe it was just that since they'd graduated (for the thirtieth time) their friends were busy prepping for college like Leah was.

"Where's Jake?" It was Quil. He sounded panicked and in a hurry.

"What? I'm not good enough for you?" Leah teased.

"Damn it, Leah. Not now. I don't have time for this. Just give the damned phone to Jake!"

"Alright. Sheesh. Try to have a bit of fun," she complained, but Jacob could feel her worry that something had happened to Seth.

Jacob grabbed her hand after accepting the phone from her, wanting to offer her comfort. Leah intertwined her fingers with his, and watched him closely as he put the phone to his ear.

"Qui—" Jacob started.

"It's Embry," Quil said hastily. "His mom kicked him out."

"When? Where is he?"

"Just a few minutes ago. He's here."

Jacob sighed in relief. Embry was safe. He wasn't out doing something stupid. Quil would watch him.

Leah released his hand and stepped away from him. Jacob was grateful, since it allowed him to pace without dragging her along with him. She sat on the bed and watched him walk back and forth across the room.

"What happened?"

"They got into another fight again when he got home from patrolling. She told him she was tired of all the lies and him sneaking off and being away for long hours. She swears he's on drugs or at least steroids. Which she thinks we're all on, by the way."

"What'd Embry say?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Nothing. Sam knows it's bad there, but he still refuses to let Embry tell her anything. He tried to calm her down and reassure her, but she wouldn't listen and just kept yelling at him and crying. He…" Quil trailed off.

"He what, Quil? What happened? Did he hurt her?"

"No, no, nothing like that."

"Did he phase?"

"He—he kicked a chair through a wall. Scared the shit out of her. She told him to leave. That she couldn't take it any more."

"Where is he now?"

"Here?" Quil said with an I-already-told-you-that voice.

"I meant what is he doing now?"

"He's in the shower. I told him to go cool off and calm down."

"Have you told Sam yet?"

"No. I called you first. You gotta do something, Jake. What's Sam going to do? Tell Embry to suck it up? That she'll come around? He's the reason Embry's in this mess."

"Calm down, Quil," Jacob warned. His cousin was working himself into a fit. As much as Jacob hated admitting it, Quil was right. Sam wasn't thinking clearly right now. They couldn't trust his judgment. Jacob had to do something. He'd allowed the situation to fester and reach a boiling point. And as much as he didn't want to undermine Sam's authority (which was probably part of Sam's fear) he knew he had to do something. He was responsible for letting it get this far.

"Who's patrolling, and where?"

"Seth and Paul. South and East boarders. Why? What are you gonna do?"

"Something. Just tell Embry to hang in there."

"Jake—"

"It's better you don't know. Just watch over him, will ya?"

"Yeah. Okay. Be careful."

"Sure, sure." Jacob hung up the phone without another word. He tossed the phone onto his bed and grabbed the shirt lying there. "Stay here," he told Leah.

"Like hell," she informed him. She sprung to her feet and grabbed his arm as he started across the room towards the stairs. "What are you planning?"

"I have to fix this."

"I get that. And frankly, it's about time. But what are you gonna do about it? You can't just walk over there without expecting Sam to find out about it. And Seth's patrolling. Do you seriously want to fight my brother?"

"Sam doesn't know anything's happened yet. And there're ways to get around your brother and Paul."

"With you reeking of Cullen? I don't think so. I'm not going to sit here twiddling my thumbs when you could be getting your ass caught. And you are not leaving me here with her. Just let me be your lookout."

Jacob gave in and accepted her reasons. He would need Leah's help to keep an eye out while he talked to Amy. And he didn't think he could trust Leah alone with Bella for however long he might be gone. It was safer to take her with him.

Luckily, Bella wasn't in any of the main rooms when they emerged from the basement. Jacob could hear her showering in the upstairs bathroom. He and Leah quickly exited the house and sprinted into the woods. Jacob didn't bother phasing since he really didn't want to have to redress in slobber-soaked clothes. He didn't think it would make all that great an impression with Embry's mom.

In no time at all Leah was back by his side in her wolf form. It still amazed him how fast she was. He could barely keep up with her when phased. Being unphased, he didn't stand a chance.

Leah was uneasy; both with what they were doing (even though she wanted to help Embry), and the fact that she couldn't feel or hear Jacob if he wasn't phased with her.

That fact had never settled well with Jacob. He understood that his ancestors were only able to hear one another when their spirits left their bodies, but after Taha Aki joined with the wolf and started phasing, shouldn't they be able to hear and sense one another when they weren't phased since their wolves were tangible?

It just didn't make any sense to him that now that he was an alpha he was able to do things that had never been heard of before. Why was he so much stronger and durable than any other werewolf in their history? Why was he able to hear and sense Leah when he wasn't phased. And why couldn't Edward hear his thoughts anymore? What had happened? What caused all these changes?

Jacob pushed the troubling thoughts away for a later time. For now, he needed to fix the rift that had developed between a mother and her son.

x x x

Amy hadn't stopped crying since she'd kicked her only son out of his home less than an hour ago. She couldn't believe it had come to that. He'd always been such a good boy, even though he'd never had a father around to teach him anything.

She'd moved to La Push when Embry had been seven, thinking the Quileute tribe would be more accepting of her and her son than her own tribe had been. And for the most part, they had. A little slow to warm up to her, since she'd refused to say who Embry's father was, but her son had been embraced the day they'd arrived.

She'd had to meet with Chief Black to ask his permission to live on the reservation. They'd met at his house since the school had been closed for the day and his children were at home. The youngest, a little boy named Jacob, hadn't waited for introductions. He'd quickly grabbed Embry's hand, stuck his tongue out at his sisters, and dragged him out of the house into the backyard. While she'd been explaining her situation to the Chief, his nephew and another, younger, boy had joined Jacob and Embry to play tag.

The three oldest boys had been inseparable ever since. And even the youngest, Seth, could be seen with them more often than not. She'd always considered it to be a blessing. With her tribe, Embry had always been picked on and neglected for being a bastard child. And even though she had constantly assured him that both his parents loved him, Embry wasn't happy until he befriended Jacob.

She wasn't so sure anymore that his group of friends was good for him. She and Embry weren't necessarily close, but they had always been honest and open with one another; except about his father. She hadn't moved to La Push to break up a family. A one night stand wasn't worth the heartache it would cause. And she never liked the thought of being the other woman, even though she hadn't known he'd been married at the time.

Now her son was lying to her. He was staying out for long hours under the pretense of "hanging out with the guys." He was quick to anger; especially when she kept questioning him about his whereabouts. But the biggest change had been his appearance. She probably wouldn't have thought much of it if it had only been him who'd rapidly shot up in height and bulk. But the fact that all the boys her son hung out with had grown just as quickly and around the same time had her convinced they were doing drugs.

She remembered when Sam had disappeared for two weeks. Everyone had been talking about it. Leah Clearwater had been beside herself with worry. Yet the Elders hadn't seemed fazed in the least.

Now that she thought about it, Sam had started changing months before his disappearing act. He was the first among the boys to get the abnormal growth spurt. And shortly after he'd returned he dumped his girlfriend of two years and immediately started a relationship with her cousin. He became very secretive and wouldn't stay long with one group of people.

Not until the other boys started changing and hanging out with him. Amy hadn't thought much of it, because Embry had never really hung out with the older boys. But then he'd started growing last year. Amy knew something was going on. When she questioned him about it, he told her he wasn't taking anything and he wasn't hanging out with Sam or his crew; that him and his friends wanted nothing to do with the older boys.

That had changed though. She'd left to visit her sister for a week and when she'd returned Embry had ditched his old friends and started spending all his time with the older boys. She still couldn't get the full story of what had happened out of her son. But one by one, Embry's old friends had joined Sam's group. Even Sam's ex-girlfriend, Leah, was hanging out with the boys now.

For a while her son had leveled out, and Amy believed her worries were unjustified. But then Jacob had disappeared for three months, and Embry's temper kept getting shorter and shorter until he too disappeared for three days. She'd been frantic with worry, and nobody would tell her anything. The Chief and her son's friends had been nowhere to be found to get answers from.

All Embry would tell her was they'd received a call from Jacob and the boys had gone to get him for the Chief. And now Jacob was staying with a doctor in Forks.

She was pulled from her thoughts by someone knocking at the backdoor. Amy dried her eyes as she made her way through the small living room and into the kitchen. It wasn't uncommon for Embry's friends to use the backdoor, so she knew it had to be one of them. Amy had to steel herself so she could tell whomever it was that her son was not there.

"Jacob?" she asked surprised. Embry had mentioned Jacob was still recovering, but he looked completely fine to her. Though he usually had a smile on his face. Right then he looked solemn and worried. He knew Embry wasn't home; she could tell. But there wasn't anything he could tell her that would change her mind. Jacob was part of the problem.

Amy strengthened her resolve and said, sternly, while shutting the door, "He's not here."

Jacob quickly placed his hand on the door and held it open. "I know," he said, ducking his head at being so forward as to prevent her from leaving the conversation. "Can I talk to you?" He looked up at her and met her eyes for the first time. "Please?"

"And what would you tell me that my own son won't," she demanded.

"Everything."

She gave him a disbelieving look.

"Including things you could have lived without."

Amy stood there with the door slightly ajar and observed the young man standing before her. He didn't fidget under her scrutiny. After almost a minute she stepped back and allowed him to enter.

"Thank you," he said sincerely as he stepped over the threshold.

She shut the door and followed him into the living room. Jacob had been to her house enough to know his way around.

"What are you doing?" she asked, confused, as he lifted her coffee table.

"It would be easier just to show you. I'll explain everything afterwards, I swear." He put the coffee table on the couch, and then moved towards the center of the room.

"Show me what?" Amy was beginning to feel nervous. Something Jacob had never inspired in her before. "You're scaring me, Jacob."

He was by her side in less than a second. "I'm sorry. You're just not going to believe me unless you see it. I won't lie to you, it's a bit overwhelming. You might want to sit down." His words weren't all that reassuring. He must have sensed it, because he grabbed her hand and walked her over to the recliner. "It's going to be alright. Just—just remember it's me." He let go of her hand and moved back to the center of the room.

"Jacob!" she protested and covered her eyes as he removed his shirt and toed of his shoes and socks. Then she heard the sound of a zipper. "Jacob, stop!"

"Sorry. I don't want to ruin them. The pixie actually did a good job this time."

Pixie? she thought, feeling very confused.

"You can look now," he told her.

"No. Put your clothes on."

"Open your eyes." His voice wasn't harsh or frustrated, just insistent and commanding.

"What?" she asked, exasperated, and lifted her head. She planned on reprimanding Jacob and telling him to get out of her house; that she wanted no part in this sick game he was playing, but the words died on her lips.

The second she opened her eyes she'd seen Jacob kneeling, naked, only a few feet in front of her on the floor. The next, there was a horse-sized, russet-colored wolf sitting in her living room. She tried to scream, but she couldn't inhale the air required.

The wolf leaned forward, cocked its head to the side, and nudged her with its nose. Amy gave a startled gasp and the wolf drew back to its original position. It remained where it was while she took a few deep breaths.

"J-Jacob?" she asked, disbelieving what she saw. Her eyes were playing tricks on her. She must have fallen asleep and this was all just a crazy dream.

The wolf nodded its head.

"Oh, my god, I'm going crazy."

The wolf snorted at her.

Slowly, Amy stood from her recliner and approached the wolf. It remained still as it watched her step closer. Once she was within range she held her breath and extended her hand to touch it, to make sure it was real, and that she wasn't dreaming. But she couldn't do it. Mere inches away from the creature and her nerves gave out. She started to step back, but the wolf snorted again and lowered its head to nudge her hand with its muzzle.

"Oh, my word," she sighed as she ran her hand over the wolf's head and between its ears. "How is this possible?" And then it clicked. If Jacob could turn into a wolf, and he was here showing her, then that meant, "Embry?"

The wolf whimpered and nuzzled her shoulder.

"But how? I don't understand."

The wolf pushed against her, and Amy stepped back. She watched in awe as the wolf stood, keeping its head lowered so it wouldn't hit the ceiling, and turned away from her. The next thing she saw was Jacob's backside as the wolf had turned into Jacob once more. It took her a moment, but once she realized she was staring at a seventeen year old's butt she flushed and quickly looked away.

"Sorry." Jacob said as he pulled his clothing back on.

"What's going on, Jacob."

"It's a long story. You might want to sit down," he told her again as he put the coffee table back in its original spot. Once that was finished, Jacob sat on the floor in front of her. Part of her was thankful, because if he had sat on the couch she still would have had to look up at him, he was that tall. "You've heard how they say our ancestors derived from wolves?"

Amy nodded.

"It's not really too far from the truth."

She listened as Jacob explained what he and his tribe knew of their ancestors. Of how the men of the tribe were able to go on Spirit Walks, which were where their spirits would leave their bodies. When they did so the men were able to hear one another's thoughts, control powerful winds, talk to animals, and have the creatures do their bidding. The first Spirit Chief, Kaheleha, had used their powers during Spirit Walks to drive out invaders who wanted their lands.

"How are you handling it so far?" Jacob asked her.

"The Makah had stories about the Quileute, and their strange magicks. Most parents used the tales to keep their children in line. It's a bit overwhelming to find out it's all true," she admitted. "But how did your people go from Spirit Walkers to giant wolves?"

"Betrayal," he answered quietly.

Again, she listened as Jacob told her the story of the last Spirit Chief, Taha Aki, and how one of his warriors, Utlapa, stole his body and took his place as Chief. Taha Aki had tried to use a wolf to put an end to Utlapa's life only to have an innocent die instead. Then when Taha Aki finally joined with the wolf and returned to his village to try to get the warriors to see the truth, Utlapa killed the one warrior who had learned the truth by disobeying his order to never Spirit Walk again. The human emotions consumed the wolf, causing it to turn into a man, one that resembled Taha Aki's spirit form. With the wolf's strength Taha Aki killed Utlapa and returned to his village as its Chief.

"But things were different after that. Taha Aki was different. He wasn't just a man anymore. The magic that had allowed the wolf to shift, that allowed him to Spirit Walk, changed. He could no longer age. He fathered many sons, all of whom inherited his ability to phase into wolves.

"Some joined their father and formed a pack to protect the village. Others gave up their wolves and began to age again. Taha Aki didn't give up his wolf until his third wife; his true mate." Jacob stopped there and stared at his hands. He looked forlorn and saddened; neither of which Amy would have ever associated with Jacob Black. He had always been such a happy person. Always a ray of sunshine ready to brighten anyone's day who came near him.

"So Taha Aki is the one who started all this wolf business?"

Jacob blinked and looked back at her. His face relaxed again. "Billy says Taha Aki is the ancestor of anyone who can phase into a wolf. His blood flows through our veins."

"Embry's father?"

Jacob nodded.

Amy covered her mouth with her hand. She took a few shaky breaths to try to reign in her emotions.

"Why is this happening now? After so long? I'm sure all of La Push would have been talking about it if these wolf-men had been around forever."

"They stopped being needed. So the warriors' wolves were never woken."

"But yours are needed?" Amy shook her head, not understanding. La Push wasn't under any threat that she knew of. And in La Push were some of the best gossipers. The entire village would have known if something were happening within less than a quarter of a day.

"Do you remember when the men of your tribe were disappearing, and your people thought it was the Quileute who were taking them?"

Amy had to think about the history she'd been taught in school. It took her a moment to remember all the facts. And once she did, her blood went cold. "The Cold Ones? They're real?"

Jacob nodded.

"But then—you boys are—Oh, my god." Her son, her baby, was protecting La Push from vampires. Honest, living, killing vampires. Embry had been in danger and she hadn't even known it. And now she'd kicked him out of his home. What had she done?

"It's alright, calm down," Jacob tried to sooth her.

Amy jumped to her feet. "Don't you tell me to calm down! I kicked him out! He's out there, all alone! Where those things can get him. And I—I…" Tears cascaded down her face and she couldn't inhale air fast enough.

Jacob enveloped her in his arms and pulled her against his chest. He was so warm, almost overwhelmingly so. But at that moment she looked past the discomfort and clung to him.

"It's alright, really. Our pack…his pack is large. The largest since Taha Aki's time. There's always been plenty of back up. Not that it's ever really been needed."

"What do you mean?" she sniffled.

"The vampires that caused us to start shifting are the vegetarian ones my grandfather made a treaty with."

"The Cullens?" She'd never seen them, but ever since they'd moved to Forks the Quileute had been abuzz with mistrust. If any serious injuries occurred the tribe was hesitant to take them to the hospital, just because they were afraid the Cullen doctor would be the one to treat them. "But the Chief allowed the doctor into La Push to treat you after your motorbike accident?" How could the Chief allow an actual vampire onto their lands?

"It wasn't a motorcycle accident."

"…A vampire?"

Jacob nodded. She noticed he was doing that a lot throughout their conversation.

"And now your father is letting you stay with vampires?" she asked incredulously. She didn't care if they were vegetarian, however that worked. There was no way she would allow her son to be around them. But then again, if Jacob had been staying with them, and her son had been disappearing a lot lately, odds were that he was already doing just that. Amy shook. She didn't know if she could handle all this.

"It's complicated."

"You said you'd tell me everything, Jacob." No matter how much it worried her, she had to know everything her son had been and would be involved in.

He looked pained, but nodded. "Right. You know Bella Swa—Bella, the police chief's daughter?"

Again, Amy found herself listening as Jacob explained how when Bella moved to Forks she'd met the youngest Cullen, Edward, and had fallen in love with him, and him her. One day a trio of wandering vampires happened upon the Cullens and Bella during a game of baseball, and the leader had taken a liking to Bella. He tracked her down and tried to kill her, but Edward and the rest of the Cullens killed him instead and burned him to ashes so he couldn't return. His mate decided to take revenge and duped a newborn vampire into creating an army of newborns to attack the Cullens and distract them while she killed Bella. Since most of the boys had started phasing by this point, Jacob had decided it was in everyone's best interest for the werewolves and Cullens to team up to fight the newborns and protect as many people as they could.

Amy remembered Embry teasing Jacob about liking the Swan girl. Jacob would always blush, but never deny his feelings. He had wanted to protect her.

"That's when you got injured? I thought you said Embry had never been in any real danger?"

"Leah went off on her own. She wanted to prove herself. She's the first female to ever phase. And she's smaller than everyone else. She saw an opportunity to show off and she took it. It was stupid. She never needed to prove anything. From the moment she phased she was one of us. She didn't need to go off on her own. She could have gotten herself killed, and for what? Pride?"

Amy gave him a minute to collect himself. "Your injuries were pretty extensive from what I heard."

"Sure, sure. We heal pretty quick. I was fine in a few days."

She hesitated with her next question, not knowing if he was going to be willing to answer. But since it had caused her son to act out and disappear she figured she had a right to ask. "Why did you leave?"

"…She chose him." He didn't have to tell Amy who "she" or "him" was. "I was invited to the wedding, and then Leah came and said some things that just ticked me off and I ran. I figured I'd pull a Taha Aki and just stay a wolf forever—"

"What?" Amy asked alarmed.

"Uh? Oh. Taha Aki's wife, The Third Wife, was killed by the mate of the vampire that was attacking the Makah. Since we killed him, his mate attacked our village and nearly wiped us out. The Third Wife sacrificed herself so the vampire would be distracted long enough to Taha Aki to kill her. Since he lost his true mate, his imprint as we call it, Taha Aki decided to stay a wolf. To let his instincts take over so he wouldn't have to feel the pain of loosing her."

"And you were going to do that? But Bella wasn't your…" she trailed off.

"Turns out I'm a freak among freaks."

"Jacob," she reprimanded. She couldn't take him talking about himself that way.

He offered her an apologetic smile. "If it's okay, I'd rather not talk about that anymore."

"Alright," she nodded. He had a right to his privacy. And since it didn't involve her son she didn't need to be demanding any more information.

"So why couldn't Embry just tell me this himself?"

"The Elders didn't want us talking about this with anyone outside of them or the pack. And because Sam, the alpha, ordered us not to. And when an alpha orders something you can't go against it."

"But you can?"

"I'm not part of Sam's pack anymore. I'm not forced to follow his orders."

She wanted to ask what had happened, but the pain on his face held her question at bay. Jacob was already giving her more than anyone else was willing to.

"But the Elders—" she started.

"You're his mother. You had a right to know. You shouldn't have been kept in the dark. It's not right."

Amy nodded, again with tears filling her eyes. The young man in front of her was nothing short of amazing. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Jacob rose to his feet and moved towards her. "You should go get your son. He's at Quil's."

Amy nodded and took his offered hand. She walked with him to the backdoor.

Once he was outside he turned back to face her. "Could you not mention my visit? Or anything we talked about? I don't want to cause any more trouble."

Amy didn't know what was going on within the pack, but she was more than willing to help Jacob after what he'd risked to tell her the truth. "My lips are sealed."

Jacob smiled and headed for the trees.

"Wait!"

He turned back to face her, and cocked his head to the side, much like he'd done when he'd been a wolf.

"His wolf. What—what does it look?" This was probably the only time she'd ever get to ask.

"He's a little smaller than me. Gray. With dark spots down his back."

Tears gathered in her eyes as she envisioned her son as a wolf. By the time her eyes cleared Jacob was gone. Amy quickly closed the backdoor, grabbed her keys, and ran to her car. She had a son to apologize to and bring home.

x x x

/Took you long enough,/ Leah complained as she came up alongside Jacob who was already at a dead run.

No matter how much she tried she couldn't get her nerves to settle. They'd been a mess ever since they entered La Push. She just knew the others were going to catch wind of the Cullen stench and come running. And then she and Jacob would be screwed. And so would Embry after Sam realized what Jacob was doing in La Push in the first place.

"Sorry, sorry. I had a lot of explaining to do."

Due to her hearing, Leah had been lucky enough to hear most of the conversation. She could have done without Jacob revealing how stupid she'd been during the fight with the newborns. His reasoning for thinking her actions were stupid, though, had warmed her. If only she'd had listened to him back then.

"I meant every word, you know."

/Quit being such a sap,/ she told him. She tried to sound nonchalant, but she knew that since he could feel how she felt, it was a lost cause. /So she's alright?/

"Sure, sure. As well as anyone can be, I guess. She's on her way to get Embry now."

/Good. Let's get the hell out of here./

"Yeah," Jacob agreed. The two picked up their pace and focused on getting out of La Push territory before they were caught.

When Jacob stopped just a quarter of the way to the Cullen house, Leah found herself circling back to him.

/What's wrong?/ she asked. Just because they were out of La Push didn't mean they were out of danger. Sam might have to follow the treaty with not attacking the vampires, but that didn't mean he couldn't attack them.

"Nothing," he said looking off into the distance.

Leah looked in the direction Jacob was. She couldn't hear or smell anything. But there was only one thing that would make Jacob act like this.

"Go to the Cullens'."

/And leave you alone? I don't think so./ They were still too close to La Push. She couldn't risk it.

"I'll be fine. Trust me. Go home."

She glared at him. Not that he noticed since he was still watching the trees. But she made sure to intensify her disapproval.

"Dully noted."

She snorted at him and made sure to bump into his side, causing him to rock on his feet, as she moved past him. /And just so you know, the Cullen house is not my home./

"Sure, sure."

Leah didn't like leaving him alone. And it wasn't like he had ordered her to go. But he had requested it, almost pleading with her to do as he asked. If anything happened to him while she was gone she was never letting him out of her sight again.

x x x

"I know you're there, Edward. You've been following me for days. Come out."

Jacob felt the wind hit him as Edward ran past him. He turned around and met Edward's black eyes. Eyes that meant Edward was starving. He shouldn't be here. He should be with his family hunting deer, and getting away from Jacob.

"You need to take better care of yourself. Go hunt. Go get what you need." Jacob turned away from him and started back towards the house. He hadn't made it far before he found himself shoved against a tree. "Wha-?"

Edward grabbed his face and pulled it down for a kiss. It was sloppy and messy and rough. Their teeth clinked together so hard Jacob was surprised none of them broke.

He tried to pull away, but it just caused Edward press his entire body flush against Jacob's to keep him pinned. Feeling the coolness of Edward's skin sent chills racing through Jacob's body. He found himself grabbing a hold of Edward's face and returning the kiss with just as much fervor.

Edward released his face and grabbed Jacob's hips, kneading the flesh he found there. Jacob took the opportunity to run his fingers through Edward's hair and grabbed a hold of the strands at the back so he could pull Edward closer.

Edward growled and pulled one of Jacob's legs up so he could grind against him. Jacob gasped and jerked his head to the side. Edward latched onto his neck, and Jacob thought about making a joke until Edward started sucking.

It took Jacob a moment to gather his thoughts; Edward was making him lose his mind. But he finally placed his hands against Edward's chest and pushed him away from him.

"Stop," he panted.

Edward was in front of him in less than a second and they were kissing again. Edward ran his hands up under Jacob's shirt, feeling his stomach muscles contract every time Edward's cold skin came into contact with Jacob's overheated one. Jacob couldn't think of anything better than the coolness of Edward's touch ghosting along his body.

Feeling the overwhelming emotions Edward had caused, Jacob took over the kiss, dominating Edward's mouth, and hoisted himself up in Edward's arms forcing Edward to tilt his head even farther back. When Jacob surged up against him again Edward fell backwards and he pulled Jacob along with him. Jacob landed on top and his hands wasted no time roaming along the body beneath him.

Edward moaned when Jacob's hands found their way under his shirt, and Jacob only had a moment to smile in victory before Edward flipped them over and pinned Jacob to the ground. Before Jacob had a chance to protest, Edward reclaimed his mouth. Jacob relaxed his body and enjoyed Edward's attention. He ran his hands along Edward's sides and down his thighs.

Everything came to a halt when Jacob's hand innocently brushed against Edward's crotch on their way back Edward's stomach. Edward immediately flinched and shifted away. It had only lasted a second, and then Edward was back to kissing Jacob. But the flinch had managed to snap Jacob out of his blissful haze.

What was he doing? This wasn't what Edward wanted. Edward wasn't in his right frame of mind right now. His defenses were just weak from the hunger.

Jacob surged up against him, and he pushed with all he had. Edward was sent flying a good fifty feet away from him. Jacob quickly got to his feet and held his hands out in front of himself to keep Edward at bay.

"You're not yourself right now, Edward," Jacob panted. "You're hungry and weakened and it's the imprint that's making you think you want to do this, but you don't. You don't want me, remember? You want Bella, just Bella." Edward started forward again and Jacob growled at him. "No. Go hunt. Clear your head. You'll see I'm right."

Not wanting to chance it, Jacob pulled his wolf forward. He hadn't wanted to shred the clothes the girls had picked out for him, but with Edward so out of control he didn't see any other option. Surely Edward wouldn't try to ravish him while he was a wolf. Either way, Jacob didn't stick around long enough to find out.

xoxoxo