All characters except for Annabelle Causley and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.

This is an AU out of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series. This story starts after Eclipse, two weeks before Edward and Bella's wedding.

AN: This one's a long…and I mean long, chapter. Enjoy!!!

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jacob growled deep in his throat as he moved through the trees, wishing he could stay away from his usual meeting place with Annabelle. He had been haunting the forest for the past two nights, angry and amazed that Annabelle had been able to stay away this long. She had more self-control than he thought possible…definitely more self-control than he did.

He knew the only reason why he wasn't barreling into the Cullens' home after Annabelle was because he didn't want to admit his overwhelming need for that damn leech…that damn, beautiful, bloodsucking leech.

"Dammit," Jacob snarled as he backtracked through the forest, "Where the hell are you?"

Turning on his heel, he moved towards the Cullens' property, stopping as he broke through the tree line into the open field, staring at the far off silhouette of the house. His drug was in that house and if he didn't get a fix soon, he would have to tear it apart –and anyone else who got in the way –to get to her.

Jacob's face turned dark as he made an about face, quickly heading towards the reservation. He was going through withdrawal…damn bitch had gotten to him in a way that he couldn't explain…and he knew when he saw her again…he would find a way to make her pay.

"Oh. My. God."

Rosalie stood outside Annabelle's bathroom door, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. Annabelle bit her lip as she turned away from the mirror, feeling suddenly self-conscious as she heard the far off scrambling of feet as the rest of the Cullens rushed up the stairs towards her room en mass.

Annabelle grinned as she discovered the reason Bella was not trampled underfoot as they all pushed into her bedroom was because Edward had thrown her over his back to have her ride piggy back.

"Wow," Emmett stopped beside Rosalie, his mouth falling open as he looked Annabelle from head to toe and back again, his eyes wide, "You look…"

"Why are you…" Jasper cocked his head to the side as he took in the sight before him, amazed at the feelings of bouyancy and freedom emminating from his new sister.

"I was just…" Annabelle bit her lip as she looked down at the off-white dress, the aged silk rustling softly as she stepped out of the bathroom, watching her family move to the side to allow her progress into the middle of the room, "The last time I tried it on was about a hundred years ago."

"Would that have been…" Edward stopped as he turned to look at Bella, wondering what she was thinking about the sight before them.

"Yes," Annabelle smiled as she smoothed her hands over the bell shaped silk skirt, her fingers tripping over the detailed beading of the body hugging bodice, "I found it in a small boutique in Vienna about two weeks before we went to Voltura…it took a while, but Father finally agreed to get it for me."

"What are you going to do with it," Rosalie's lips were shaped into a sneer, "Perhaps use it to marry that dog you're sleeping around with?"

"No," Annabelle's eyebrows lowered in anger as she made a conscious decision to ignore Rosalie's snide comment, "I was planning on either burning it or ripping it to shreds…I don't need it afterall."

"No!"

They all turned to look at Alice as she broke away from Jasper's side, "You can't destroy that dress. It's a vintage Carolina Campinallie…it's worth…oh, I just can't imagine destroying a beautiful work of art."

"What am I suppose to do with it," Annabelle smiled at Alice, placing her hands on her hips, "I'm not going to keep it in my closet. It no longer has any sentimental value attached to it but still…I don't want it."

"I'll take it," Alice's butterscotch eyes begged along with her, "You can give it to me. You and I are practically the same size."

"What do you need a wedding dress for," Bella turned to look at Alice, her eyebrows lowered in confusion.

"Jasper and I are getting married in about five years," Alice sighed with relief as she saw herself wearing the antique dress, "And I will look beautiful in that dress. Thank you."

"I'll take it to your room as soon as I take it off," Annabelle smiled at Alice, looking forward to spending the next hundred years as her sister.

"Why did you take it out of the box," Esme asked softly, her eyes bright with hope and joy at what this could possibly mean.

"It was time for me to let go of all the regrets, of everything that I can't change," Annabelle's mouth shaped into a soft smile as she locked eyes with Esme, "Time for me to start anew…with all of you, I hope."

Esme reacted in the way they all expected, stepping forward to throw her arms around her new daughter. Alice bit her lip to keep from hissing…it was, after all, a hundred year old dress…it was a true testament to the seamstress that it was still in amazing condition.

"I want to know one thing," Rosalie spoke up, knowing full well she was ruining this precious moment for everyone, "Are you asking the dog to come with us?"

"What," Annabelle turned her eyes towards Rosalie, a frown on her face, "No."

"Answer me one thing," Rosalie stepped away from Emmett and closer to Annabelle, "Are you in love with the mu –with Jacob Black?"

Annabelle stared at Rosalie, wanting to know the reason behind the question…one thing she knew, Rosalie would be the last person she would tell the truth to, "No."

"You're such a coward, Annabelle," Rosalie shook her head, her golden hair rippling down her back, "You can't pick and choose who you love…that's why love is irrational. But the one thing you can do is be strong enough to stand up for that love…to fight for it…just like Edward did with Bella."

Turning on her heel, she walked towards the opened bedroom door but not before throwing a snide remark over her shoulder, "I've never wanted a family pet…especially not a dog, but if you do manage to get one, keep it out of the garage and make sure you teach it not to chew on the furniture."

They all stood in shocked silence, their eyes trained on the door where Rosalie had been standing a few seconds ago.

"Did she just…" Annabelle shook her head, the simple knot she had twisted at the top of her head tumbling into a blue black waterfall down her back, "Advice me to go after Jacob?"

"Sounds like it," Emmett turned to look at Annabelle, giving her another appreciative once over look, "I myself have always wanted a dog…especially one big enough to wrestle with."

"What…" Annabelle's mouth fell open as Emmett grinned, winking at her before turning away to follow after Rosalie, wanting to know where her magnanimous attitude had come from.

"What he meant," Jasper stepped forward to place his hands on Annabelle's shoulders, "Was that we are always open to having more family. We're glad you're coming with us and I am personally glad to feel that you are finally at peace with yourself and with the life you have now. If having…Jacob come along with us makes you even happier, then I'm alright with it. Despite the fact that it is going to smell…"

Jasper turned away to walk out of the room, shaking his head and muttering about ventilation and air flow and how having both would keep the New Hampshire house from reeking of dog.

Annabelle couldn't help the smile that was slowly blooming across her face as she turned to look at what was left of the Cullens, "What about you? What do you think about my asking Jacob to come along? Alice?"

"It's going to be frustrating not being able to see the future with him around," Alice smiled as she moved to carefully hug Annabelle, not wanting to crease the dress, "But I'll make sure to take long walks…besides, I'm sure having him around will make life interesting…life does get pretty boring when you live forever."

"I'm just glad that you're going to come with us," Esme reached out to touch a black curl resting against Annabelle's cheek, "And if Jacob agrees to come along…well, I've always wanted a big family."

Carlisle laughed as he reached out to take Annabelle's arm, gently moving her to stand before him, "I am proud to call you my daughter. And if this young man is the one you love, then he too is family and we stand together for family."

"Thank you Carlisle," Annabelle swallowed hard, her golden eyes glittering brightly with a sudden swelling of emotion, "I've never met anyone as compassionate as you."

Carlisle smiled as Esme stepped back to his side, drapping an arm around her shoulders, "You yourself have a lot of compassion, Anna. It's just a matter of time for you to discover how much of it you have."

Annabelle ducked her head, feeling slightly shy at Carlisle's words of praise, "Thank you."

"You're very welcomed, darlin'," Esme stepped forward to kiss Annabelle's forehead before turning to walk out of the room with Carlisle beside her and Alice following behind.

"Why are we even discussing this," Annabelle looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together, "It's not as if Jacob has any deep feelings for me."

"Now that's to be argued," Edward muttered as he glanced sideways at Bella, "But that's not the point…I guess what the family is trying to get at is if you're planning on asking him to join us in New Hampshire."

"Do you think he would say yes," Annabelle looked up into Edward's eyes, clasping her hands tight against her stomach.

Edward bursted out laughing despite Bella's warning look, "No."

"You don't think he'll say yes?"

"No, I don't," Edward grinned at Annabelle despite the sad look on her face, "In fact, I think he'll be an asshole about it. I wouldn't put it pass him to try to make you cry even though you're physically unable to."

Edward reached out to take her hand, squeezing it to reassure her, "Just remember, Annie, you won't know how he feels about you unless you take a risk. And even if he says no, and is a real jerk about it, just leave him with an option to follow you once he realizes he can't be without you."

"What do you think, Bella," Annabelle turned to look at her best friend's wife, "Do you think I should ask Jacob to join us?"

Bella's lips shaped themselves into a small smile as she reached out for Annabelle's hand, "He's my best friend, Anna. I think it would be great to get to hang out with him again…not only that but…I think you're the best thing that could possibly happen to him. I just hope he's smart enough to realize when you ask him."

"If I ask him," Annabelle chuckled sadly as she moved towards the bathroom, wanting to take the wedding dress off, "I'm not so sure I want to go through the hell he'll put me through for that."

Bella looked over at Edward before she turned to walk out of the room but not without saying, "You'll never know unless you ask, Anna."

Staying behind, Edward nodded in agreement as he looked at Annabelle, "She's right. He may make you think he doesn't care, may even convince you that he prefers to be without you, but don't forget, you have the ability to tell when he's lying."

Annabelle nodded as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders, "I need to get out of this dress…it's very uncomfortable…I can't believe I didn't realize that before when I first tried it on."

"You would've of looked beautiful," Edward reached out to gently touch the silk skirt, "I just want you to know, even if Jacob refuses to come with you, you still have us. Don't let his inability to look beyond his pessimissm get you down…when you leave him, leave him knowing that it's not impossible, you two being together. It just takes a little more work…I should know."

Annabelle laughed as she closed the door between them, "That is true. If anyone knows about irrational love and impossible situations, it's you."

She stepped out of the bathroom in seconds, wearing a light blue sweater with black jeans, her feet bare, the silk wedding dress folded over her arm, "I'm going to drop this off at Alice's room then go for a walk…think about what everyone's said."

"Hey, think about this," Edward walked beside her as they moved across the hall towards Alice's room, "I just found out why Rosalie didn't like you."

"She's been able to keep it a secret from you this long?" Annabelle grinned as she opened Alice's door without knocking only to find it empty. Walking deep into the room, she laid out the dress on the bed, "Amazing."

"Yeah, she's been very diligent at keeping it a secret but it slipped when she saw you in the wedding dress," Edward leaned against the doorframe, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets, "But the reason she didn't like you was because you're beautiful…plus the whole sexuality thing. Made her jealous as hell. She's used to being the beautiful one…even among us vampires."

"Kind of shallow, don't you think?"

"That's Rosalie," Edward shrugged as he followed Annabelle down the stairs towards the front door, "Anyway, just thought I might lighten your mood before you…figure out what to do about Jacob."

"Honestly, Edward," Annabelle opened the front door but before she walked out she turned to look into her best friend's topaz colored eyes, "How do you really feel about the possibility of Jacob coming along with us?"

"Jacob annoys the hell out of me. Sometimes, he does it purposefully just because it amuses him to be annoying. But for you, Annabelle, I'll learn to deal with it. Besides, I expect you to keep him so busy with you so that he doesn't think of ways to annoy me."

Annabelle laughed as she walked out of the house, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her black jeans, her bare feet leaving visible footprints behind, making it easy for her family members to follow if any of them have a mind to go after her.

Sighing softly, she reached back to quickly braid her hair, letting it hang down her back. She wasn't sure what had prompted her entire family into expressing their feelings concerning her relationship with Jacob but it had definitely left her thinking…

What was worst was that she wasn't sure if she wanted to put herself in a position to be rejected…she wasn't sure if she was strong enough to handle Jacob's venom-filled words…

Leah: Will you just phase down already?! You're driving me crazy with your obssessive thoughts of that cold-blooded bloodsucking bitch! I can't stand it!

Jacob: No…I don't think of her as much when I'm in wolf form –

Leah: I hate to think of how pathetically obssessed you are with her when you're walking around in two legs…gag, this is disgusting. I don't need to know the details of what you do with that leech.

Jacob: Leah, just shut your mouth. I order you to stop talking about this.

Paul: That's going a little too far, don't you think, Jake? Ordering us not to think about the only thing that's in your head.

Embry: I agree with Paul, Jake. Isn't you ordering Leah what to think and what not to think kind of an abuse of power?

Quil: At least we're not talking about the leech and what Jacob does with her at night anymore.

Leah: Okay, that's it. If you won't phase down, I'm going to. I just can't stand your thoughts anymore. You're no longer thinking of the pack, of your responsabilities as Alpha and leader of the tribe. You're letting your damn dick –

Jared: When are you phasing down? Because I am getting seriously fed up with your bitchy attitude.

Sam: All of you need to stop acting like children. I've told you to leave Jacob alone about this.

Seth: Yeah, but since you're not Alpha, we don't have to obey.

Jacob: But I am, and I am telling all of you to stop. We've already established that one, I had nothing to do with imprinting on a vampire and two, I was stupid at letting her seduce me.

Jared: Did she seduce you or were you just waiting for an excuse to give in to her?

Jacob: Is this not talking about it anymore? You know what, I'm getting the hell out of here. I think Leah had a point…at least two-legged I don't have to deal with all of you at once.

Embry: What the hell? Are you just taking off? Just like that? Jacob?

Paul: He's gone Embry. What do you think he finds so…attractive…in that pale faced leech?

Seth: She's beautiful…and she's got a good body.

Sam: Seth! You're just fourteen –

Seth: That's why I noticed because I'm fourteen. Hormones, you know?

Embry: Yeah, we do. Especially when you think over your wet dreams during the day, kid.

Seth: Hey!

Quil: Oh, come on kid. You're the first one of us that actually phased before you hit puberty.

Sam: Alright, enough about Seth and his wet dreams. Where did Jacob go?

Paul: He didn't say but for some strange reason, I think it may somehow lead to the new Cullen…you know, the one he's been screwing every night for the past week.

Annabelle stood still, watching Jacob as he moved around the trees towards her, his hair fluttering in the breeze, the frown on his face causing her to suck her breath in. The angry glint in his dark eyes and hard edge to his frown boded ill for her.

She swallowed as he stalked towards her, his eyes narrowing, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Biting her lip, she reached up to fidget with her ear, "I was hoping to run into you. I was wanting to ask you something…"

"I'm not up to answering any of your questions," Jacob held himself tight, not wanting to be near her yet he couldn't help how his body, even his mind, seemed to be straining to get closer, "I'm not a pet for you to pay attention to whenever it strikes your mood. You honestly think that after two days of ignoring me, I would be willing to deal with you at all in any way?"

"I'm sorry," Annabelle looked down at her feet, her eyebrows knitting as she realized what she had just said, "Actually, I'm not. You were an ass last time we spoke. I didn't deserve what you said to me. I needed to stay away so I could think about our –"

"Our what," Jacob cocked his head to the side as he took a step closer to Annabelle, "Our relationship? We don't have a relationship, Annabelle. All we have is sex."

"That's not true," Annabelle couldn't help the sadness that seeped into her words, "There's more to us than just sex, Jacob, and you know it."

"I see you as nothing more than a good roll in the dirt, Annabelle," Jacob smiled grimly, wishing it were true, "Any girl would do…you just happened to be the only one that isn't particular about who she fucks."

Annabelle sucked her breath in, wanting to find a way to retaliate but stopped long enough to realize that Jacob was lying through his teeth. Narrowing her eyes, she stared into his hostile dark eyes as it slowly dawned on her that Jacob's crude comments were an attempt at protecting himself…from her?

"You're lying Jacob," Annabelle's eyes widened in surprise as she saw his motive behind his lie, "You have feelings for me…you just don't want to. What we have is so much more than sex to you as well."

"We have nothing," Jacob moved closer to her, his jaw tight with anger…anger he felt towards himself, which he easily projected on the small delicate-looking girl standing before him, "I feel nothing for you…and I'll prove it."

Jacob moved so fast that Annabelle didn't react quick enough as he buried his fingers into her hair, roughly pulling her towards him as his mouth crashed over hers. His free hand gripped her waist and she knew if her skin weren't marble hard, his fingers would be leaving behind deep bruises.

Shoving her hands between them, she weakly pushed at his chest, not wanting to hurt him yet not willing to have him use her this way. For the first time since they were first together, Jacob was touching her with a strong emotion that was obviously not lust and passion but anger…and a desire to teach her a lesson.

Jacob growled as he moved his mouth down her neck, his hand twisting in her hair, pulling at it to force her head back. He shoved his free hand under her sweater, roughly groping at her breast. Annabelle sucked her breath in as she struggled against his hand, wanting to separate herself from the anger that he was taking out on her.

He grabbed her around the waist, hooking a heel behind her knee to pull her down onto the ground, their combined weight bringing them down, Jacob landing on top.

"Jacob, stop," Annabelle gasped as she realized that Jacob had every intention of forcing himself on her.

Without thinking, she shoved hard against his chest, completely deaf to his hiss of surprise and pain. For the next minute, a struggle ensued between both of them as Jacob tried to gain the upper hand.

Bucking him off and shoving hard, Annabelle grabbed Jacob's wrists, shoving him off her and rolling him onto his back as she used her legs against his to keep him pinned to the ground, her knees digging into his stomach, forcing his hands over his head as a snarl ripped out of her throat, her eyes wide and wild.

Sucking in a deep breath, she froze as she felt that long forgotten burn in the back of her throat, realizing how close she was to losing her control over her thirst…and even though Jacob had forced her to defend herself, to shift into predator mode, she didn't want to take his life. She refused to be the monster that Aro had tried to nurture.

Quickly propelling herself away from him, she leaned against a tree, her chest rising along with her erratic breathing…not because she was out of breath but because she was shocked at how close she had been at making Jacob her next meal.

Jacob slowly rose to his feet, shocked at himself as he realized what he had been about to do…how close he had been to raping Annabelle…how close he had come at hurting the one he imprinted on in a way that would have never healed...for either of them.

"I'm sorry," Annabelle whispered softly, the breeze carrying her words to him as her topaz colored eyes looked over his chest, seeing the hand shaped bruises that were slowly developing on his skin, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jacob stared at her, realizing that in some way, he had forgotten that Annabelle was a vampire and not just a girl. With that realization came another one…one that he refused to think about…even to himself.

"What did you want to ask, Annabelle," Jacob asked quietly, wanting to find a way to make up for his actions.

"I wanted…to know…if…" Annabelle breathed in deep, not believing she was actually asking this of Jaocb, "I'm heading to New Hampshire with the Cullens at the end of the week and…"

"Are you asking me to come with you," Jacob stared at Annabelle, surprised that she would think of him leaving his pack for her and angry that she would leave him for her coven, "Is this the favor you made me promise I would say yes to?"

"Well –"

"I can't believe that," Jacob moved away from Annabelle before turning to look at her, "You actually think I'll say yes to leaving my people behind to join you and your family? It would be much easier to say yes if you asked me to kill you."

Annabelle bit her bottom lip as she felt an intense pain rip through her chest even though she was able to see the lie in his words, "No…it wouldn't. You care too much about me…"

"Not enough to go with you…" Jacob crossed his arms over his chest, holding himself rigid, "Not enough to leave my brothers…my people behind. I'm not a traitor, Annabelle. You're the enemy…"

"You're a coward, Jacob," Annabelle took a step back, "You won't own up to what you feel for me. I didn't think I'd ever be able to say this to you, I didn't think there would be a point, I still don't, but I can't keep this to myself…I love you, Jacob…in a way I've never loved before…not even Edward. You've become the very center of my life…the very center of who I am…and I thought…maybe…you may feel something…stronger for me…"

Jacob tightened his jaw, Annabelle's words echoing his feelings…he was the center of who she was…she was the center of who he was…

"I'm not going Annabelle," Jacob raised an eyebrow, "I won't give in to these…absurd feelings that I have for you. I'm strong…I don't need you."

Annabelle looked deep into his eyes, deep sorrow moving through her as she saw through all his lies to the very core of his denials…pride.

"When you get tired of having pride as your only companion," Annabelle walked towards Jacob, stopping to look up into his face, "New Hampshire is where I'll be."

Walking around him, she walked away, never looking back, not able to keep herself from hoping that he would follow her.

Halfway through the open field towards the Cullens house, Annabelle slowed down as she heard footsteps behind her. Closing her eyes, she sighed in relief, turning around to meet him.

He came after her.