Jacob and Bella's friendship slowly begin to mend, though it was nothing like what it had once been, nor would it ever be; there had been too much said, mainly on Jacob's part, to allow the closeness that had existed before. Not only that, but Bella had Paul now, so she didn't need Jacob the way she once had and it was a little startling for Jacob to realize that. Where he had once been her best friend and confidant, he was now just her friend; someone she could hang out with and talk to, but not someone she would share all her secrets with.

In the time they spent together, Jacob learned a lot about Bella and came to realize that she had changed quite a bit. She was stronger now, not necessarily in a physical sense, but she seemed to have a better sense of her self-worth and she also seemed more confident. While it was nice to see these changes in Bella, it saddened him that he had missed them. And now he found himself jealous of Paul for more than one reason. Before Paul had become her boyfriend and then fiancé, he had first been her friend, probably a much better friend than Jacob had ever been.

As Jacob listened to Bella's stories of her time spent with the pack, he began to realize just how much he had alienated himself from everyone; he'd not only ruined his friendship with Bella, but he had also managed to damage the bond between him and his pack brothers. It sucked having to hear from Bella what was going on in the lives of the pack; sure he shared a mind link with them when phased, but ever since the imprint, he'd been focused solely on his own thoughts and hadn't paid much attention to what filtered through the link.

When the weekend arrived and the pack gathered for their routine bonfire, Jacob decided it was high time he do some apologizing.

"There are some things I'd like to say, if you guys don't mind." Jacob said as he stood before the pack and imprints."

After receiving nods from everyone, he began to speak.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've realized a lot of things. My behavior these last few months has been unacceptable and definitely not fair to you guys. I've taken my anger out on you guys and it wasn't right of me to do so; I haven't been the brother I should've been to you all and for that I apologize. I'd especially like to apologize to you Paul, my treatment of you has been unfair and undeserved; I let my emotions get the better of me and allowed them to cloud my judgment, thereby ignoring the fact that you had no control over the imprinting. You and Bella are perfect for each other and it's clear to everyone, including me now, just how much you love and care for her. You're a great man and if it can't be me, then I'm glad you were the one chosen for Bella. And as for you Bella, I don't think I ever really apologized for my behavior towards you. I was a horrible friend and abandoned you when you probably needed me most; which I suppose is proof enough that I really don't deserve you. I'm glad that you've found someone who will love and treat you the way you deserve. From now on, I'll try to be a better brother and friend to you all."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Bella slipped from Paul's embrace and moved to where Jacob was standing.

She gripped his hands in her own,

"Thank you." She said and offered him a smile

He then received a slap on the back from Sam, followed by Embry, Seth, Quil and Jared.

Paul slowly moved from his position in the sand and moved to stand behind Bella, who still stood in front of Jacob.

"I suppose if Bella can forgive you, then so can I. But make no mistake Jacob, future Alpha or not, you hurt Bella again and I won't hesitate to end you." He said with a hard glare

Jacob nodded his head in acceptance and was then dragged off by Embry, who claimed he had a lot of fun stories to tell.

A/N: I know this chapter is oober short and I do apologize for that, next chapter will definitely be longer [promise].