Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I do not. I do however, own my gang.

Flying solo folks.

Chapter 38

Bella sat on the edge of Carlisle's padded examination table as he poked and prodded her. A thin hospital gown patterned with snowflakes was all that maintained her fragile dignity. Despite the warmth of sunny rays streaming through the window, an icy chill sent goosebumps along her skin. Her last visit to her doctor confirmed that her baby had flipped from breech to optimal head down position. News she'd welcomed as she hadn't been looking forward to caring for a newborn while recovering from a c-section. Unlike prior prenatal exams, dread and foreboding rather than nervous excitement filled the air. Anxiety knotting her stomach, she held still as Carlisle shone a light in her eyes.

Jacob stood beside the table, his face a hardened mask shielding thoughts from view. Silent and brooding, his dark unfathomable gaze tracked the vampire doctor's every movement. Since their discovery, he'd barely spoken five words to her, apart from helping her dress and rushing her to the Cullen house. The playful mood from earlier had disappeared and in its place uncertainty reigned. At that moment she would've given anything for his reassurance that nothing had changed. That he still wanted her, fucked up hair and all.

Carlisle used his ballpoint pen to lift a lock of hair from the moving pile. He uttered a note of surprise when several strands coiled around the pen, drawing it from his grasp. Irritation surged through Bella. She loathed being poked and prodded. She was not a science experiment!

A second later the pen flew across the room in an undeniable fit of annoyance.

Bella sat dumbfounded. Did she make her hair do that?

"Ah," was Carlisle's only reply, intrigue sparked his amber eyes. He retrieved the pen and returned to scribbling notes on his chart.

"What do you think?" Bella asked after peeling her tongue off the roof of her mouth. The oppressive silence was becoming unbearable.

"I need more information before I can reach a conclusion." Carlisle settled on a metal stool and gave a calm smile. "How have you been feeling?"

"Fine!" she blurted, before wrestling her rioting emotions under control. "I mean… A few nightmares here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary."

"Tell me about those dreams." Carlisle's perceptive gaze held her steady.

As she weighed her options, Jacob's mesmerizing presence drew her gaze. No one knew about her recurring nightmares. Not even Jacob.

Understanding and sympathy flickered in Carlisle's eyes. "It's all right, Bella. No one here will judge you."

Bella fought a grimace.

No one would judge her?

Easy for Carlisle to say. He wasn't the one being interrogated under a spotlight. He wasn't being forced to reveal just how deep his freakazoid well ran. She couldn't believe this was happening. Mere hours ago, she and Jacob were tossing around baby names in bed. Now she was sitting on an exam table, pantyless and mortified beyond belief. But Carlisle needed every piece of the puzzle if he was to fix her. And there had to be a way to fix this. Had to be.

She drew in a fortifying breath and relayed the waterfall dream. Jacob stiffened, his expression troubled when she described the part where a shadowy water monster dragged her under water. Carlisle scratched his chin, deep in speculation.

"There's more," she said. Shame compelled her gaze to the carpeted floor. "I've been craving red meat again, raw meat. I haven't eaten any," she quickly reassured both men. "But it's been on my mind. Thought it might be important."

Under Jacob's penetrative stare, a flush crawled across the back of her neck. She was left to imagine his thoughts after hearing that confession. Sad thing was if it hadn't been for her pregnancy, she would've indulged in her craving long ago. Risk of salmonella poisoning be damned. Even now her mouth watered imagining the coppery deliciousness of meaty chunks sliding down her throat.

Carlisle fixed her with a steady gaze, marble hands folded neatly on his lap. She fought the urge to squirm, feeling like an exotic bug beneath his microscope. "Have you done anything new in the last day or so? Strayed from your routine?"

Burning heat crept across her cheeks, turning her face a darkened shade of red. She glanced at Jacob and caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I-I had dinner with Jacob and spent the night…" She trailed off, leaving him to draw his own conclusion.

"I see," Carlisle muttered and Bella just about died of humiliation. As if she wasn't embarrassed enough waltzing into his house, wearing last night's fuck-me outfit. No panties to boot. It was the ultimate walk of shame.

Lucky for her, Rosalie had the foresight to hustle Emmett from the room before Carlisle began his interrogation. Bella was far too humiliated and terrified to endure the doggy-style jokes that would've followed.

Carlisle ended his questioning and reached for the metal tray beside the bed. Her musings screeched to a halt when Carlisle grasped a small pair of scissors and approached her.

Bella's mouth went dry, her heart galloping behind her ribcage. In the corner of her eye, Jacob stiffened sensing the shift in her mood.

"What are you doing?" She asked, panic gripping her for reasons unknown.

"Just collecting a specimen," Carlisle explained as her hair twisted away from his hand, artfully evading capture. Using his vampiric speed, he finally seized hold of several coiling strands. Her eyes widened in horror, marking the approach of his scissors.

She imagined tiny, high pitched voices screaming in terror and blurted, "Don't!"

Carlisle's hand froze midair, a puzzled frown wrinkling his brows. "Bella?"

"Don't cut my hair." A tingle ran along her scalp as agitated strands tore free of his grip and reared up in challenge. Carlisle eyed the show of aggression with caution.

Bella couldn't explain her protectiveness toward a mass of the moving hair responsible for ruining her perfect morning. However until she knew what they were dealing with, she refused to let him harm it. Whatever it was. Also a significant part of her was annoyed at his assumption that he could hack off a part of her body without asking. She was in an odd mood. Why was she mistrustful and angry at the Cullen patriarch? Carlisle was trustworthy, wasn't he?

Before Carlisle could reply Jacob appeared behind him, frame hulking with muscles primed for confrontation, and plucked the scissors from his grasp. Relief surged as Jacob slammed the scissors down with a pointed glare. Bella shot him a grateful smile and his harsh expression softened, letting her know he was still in her corner. Although she couldn't help but wonder how long his devotion would last. If Fang was back, how long would it be until the Council forced him to choose between her and his pack?

Carlisle read the situation with a hint of wariness and chose an alternate route.

"Perhaps a blood sample instead," he suggested without fuss, forever an expert at hiding his disappointment behind a wall of professionalism. A small prick of pain in her arm and he collected his sample. "Lie back so I can have a look at the baby."

Round belly exposed, Carlisle smeared on the shiver-inducing gel and grabbed the wand. As he placed the wand, Bella waited with bated breath and frayed nerves. If asked, Bella would've said ultrasounds were the only pregnancy exams she looked forward to, but today was different. Today she was waiting to hear if her baby was normal. Carlisle's poker face combined with the ultrasound screen facing away from her only exacerbated her fears.

Please be okay, Bella offered a silent prayer, nervous energy compelling her to twist the edges of her gown into knots.

Suddenly Jacob was there, enfolding her clammy hand in the warmth of his strong palm. His thumb rubbed soothing circles on her knuckles, without words telling her she wasn't alone in this. That she had his strength to lean on. His calming presence helped soothe her fears.

Bella teared up when the sound of galloping hooves filled the room. Her little girl's heartbeat.

Carlisle frowned heavily at the monitor as if he couldn't believe his eyes. He uttered a soft gasp and Bella's stomach dropped at his next words. "My god, are those horns?"

"Horns?" Bella and Jacob snapped in unison, panic throwing their world into chaos.

Carlisle took in their fearful looks and, to Bella's surprise, chuckled. "Kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood."

A growl of warning rumbled from the mountain of rage beside her, but Bella laughed. Who knew Carlisle had a prankster streak? Probably spending too much time around Emmett and Ryan.

"Everything looks good with the baby. She's just as perfect as she was the last time I saw her," Carlisle informed with a small smile and tension melted from Bella's body, tears of gratitude stinging her eyes. As long as her baby was healthy, she could handle whatever came her way.

Esme, who'd been hovering in the background from the start of the exam, approached the bed. "Would any of you like breakfast?"

Jacob tore his gaze from Bella's face and answered, "No thank you."

"Nothing for me thanks. I'm too nervous to eat." Her flimsy cover was blown by an obnoxious grumble. Her complaining stomach reminded of the uneaten breakfast sitting on Jacob's kitchen table. Color rose in her cheeks. "Maybe some bacon, toast and coffee if you have it."

Esme gave a knowing smile. "I'll come get you when it's finished."

She left the room, and Carlisle returned to scribbling on his notepad. "Tell me, Bella. The way you feel now, is it like after you inherited Fang?"

After careful consideration, Bella admitted, "No. With Fang I always felt his presence in my mind. I could never forget that all consuming rage, but it's different this time. Fang was Taylor's but whatever this is… it's mine. I feel like myself but… more."

Jacob scowled at that, his dark eyes, steady, watchful and missed nothing.

"Do you think it's Fang?" Bella summoned the courage to ask and the hand holding hers tensed. The question hurt her heart. It was unthinkable. If Fang still lived inside her, Taylor sacrificed himself...

Carlisle regarded her with level look. "I don't think it's Fang, but you're right. It's different. I suspect this development has something to do with your pregnancy. Which might also explain your unorthodox cravings and the abnormal regrowth of your hair."

"Are they signs that the baby's draken like Taylor?" Bella dared to ask, slight tremor shaking her voice.

Carlisle paused, his body swiveling on the stool as he mulled over the question. "It could very well be a sign, but since draken children don't manifest until their teens, we won't know for sure until then. Although I'm certain this isn't Fang. I suspect your hair will return to normal after the baby's born."

A crushing wave of relief left Bella dizzy and lightheaded. Her eyes slid shut as she struggled beneath the weight of her tumultuous emotions.

"Bells?" Radiating concern, Jacob grasped her shoulder, strong hands attempting to steady her.

"Just give me a minute." Taylor hadn't sacrificed himself in vain. His death still held meaning. A tiny comfort but one she'd claim without hesitation. She exhaled as the vise-grip around her heart eased. "I'm okay."

Jacob tucked a lock of writhing hair behind one ear before turning to Carlisle. "How will she work? Hell, how will she give birth at a hospital with moving hair?"

As if to solidify Jacob's concern, strands of chestnut hair coiled around his fingers. It took an extraordinary amount of gentle coaxing to untangle his hand from insistent clutching. Once he freed himself, her hair perched on her shoulders, occasionally swishing like the tail of an irritated cat.

"He's got a point." Bella imagined in nightmarish scene of being in the midst of labor with aggressive hair battling the nursing staff. The average person was oblivious to their surroundings, but someone would notice when her hair hurled a latte at a pissy customer's head.

Carlisle scratched his smooth chin in contemplation while eying the moving mass of strands. "Hats and scarves should allow you to go out in public. The baby's birth presents a trickier issue." He gazed at her. "I'd like you to reconsider my offer to have the birth here. I have operating facilities downstairs in-case of emergency, and I can guarantee you a safe birth."

Despite her hopes for a smooth, uncomplicated birth, her insides quivered at the mention of his operating room. While she was no stranger to surgery, caring for a newborn after an emergency c-section was her idea of hell on earth. She trusted Carlisle with her life, and yet something made her hesitate. Made her feel as though she'd been naïve to place her complete trust in him.

Bella gnawed her lower lip before glancing at Jacob. "What do you think?"

To her surprise, Jacob agreed. "It might be the safest thing for you and the baby."

A small smile graced Bella's lips. Perhaps this way she could have the best of both worlds. The safety of a hospital setting combined with the comforts of home. The hospital's strict two person in the delivery room rule had caused friction between Jacob and her friends. At the Cullen house, she wouldn't have to choose. While she'd solved that issue, a petty problem still presented itself. Though Carlisle had witnessed her in various stages of undress during her cancer treatments, she wasn't crazy about him being that involved with her vagina. The idea was cringe-inducing. For crying out loud, she'd always looked up to the guy as a father figure. With the situation being what it was, she had precious little choice in the matter so she'd have to get over it. Too bad she couldn't have her doctor come here for the birth.

At her nod, Carlisle clapped his hands and stood. "Then it's settled. We'll make preparations."

She observed as Carlisle retrieved his clipboard and made a series of notes, his hand a blur of movement. When finished, he added the pages to a thick file. Curiosity got the better of her and she questioned, "What you do with those files?"

Carlisle paused, appearing startled that his recording hadn't gone unnoticed. He quickly recovered, his face smoothing into a blank mask. "They're for my personal study. I'm using them to build a profile on the draken. I've also built files on Liz and Taylor. In the future, I hope to create one on the baby as well."

Unease crawled beneath her skin, nagging doubts making themselves known. She couldn't identify why his pronouncement made her uncomfortable.

"I'll give you some time alone while I run this blood sample down to my lab." Carlisle hurried away before she could construct an argument. She stared at his retreating back, finding his brusque manner odd. For unknown reasons he seemed eager to leave the room.

On the heel of his rapid departure, a profound sadness hit Bella. She fought back the tears stinging her eyes. Why couldn't she have one good thing? Why couldn't she have a normal life? Feeling the unbearable anchor of guilt and shame she dissolved into tears. Strong arms drew her into the shelter of Jacob's heated embrace.

Hands stroked her back as she sobbed. "What's wrong?"

"Just admit it," she wailed against his chest.

"Admit what?" He asked, his tone even.

"That you're pissed. We have one perfect night together, then this happens. It's like there's a giant cloud of disaster following me around. You should leave before I destroy your life too." Why did this keep happening to her? Each time she found happiness something terrible always came along to destroy it. Was she cursed?

Jacob tilted her chin up toward and took her mouth in a kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth, stealing away all coherent thought and resistance. A reluctant heat bloomed inside her and for a moment Bella forgot her fears. As if possessing a mind of its own her hands slid up his chest and wound around his neck. He withdrew with a smile and used his thumbs to dry her tears.

"I'm the Alpha of a wolf pack, Bells. You may or may not be carrying a draken baby and we're standing in a house that belongs to a coven. Today you have hair that moves." He flashed a crooked smile. "To an outsider it sounds fucked up, but in our world? It's just Sunday. This is our normal. Moving hair is mild on the scale of weirdness we've faced."

Bella sniffled and gave a soggy laugh. Jacob kissed her again

"At least I can be sure that life with you will never be boring." He pressed his forehead against hers, breath fanning her face. "It will take a lot more than Medusa hair to get rid of me, Bells."

"But what if Carlisle's wrong? What if I have the baby and my hair doesn't go back to normal?" Instinct told her that there had to be more behind what was happening to her. "What if—"

"Bells." Jacob interrupted her attempt at twisting herself in knots. "Whatever happens we'll face it together."

"This isn't what you signed on for," she lamented. Why couldn't she stop being so fucking weird?

"This mark says otherwise." Jacob traced the bite marring the curve of her neck.

Despite his absolute certainty, Bella knew there was one thing he hadn't considered. The Council. Trevor would be less that pleased to learn of this worrying development. As if they needed another reason to dislike her.

Jacob murmured, "Stop worrying."

Her lips parted with a denial on her tongue but settled in a smile instead. He knew her too well.

Moments later, the loud screech of car tires on the Cullen driveway, ruined their contented silence.

"Izzy!" Liz yelled and Bella flinched, withdrawing from Jacob.

"Crap. Forgot I called her," she spoke with a pained smile. In her earlier panic she'd called Liz who immediately agreed to drive down. At the time she needed the comfort and reassurance of her best friend. Now she grappled with what she'd unleashed on the Cullen home.

Loud footsteps pounded throughout the house, marking the approached of the hurricane known as Liz.

"Liz, calm down," Ryan tried in vain to soothe his temperamental girlfriend.

"If he hurt her during some weird sex act, I'll kick his ass," Liz snarled.

Jacob's eyebrow rose in question. "What kind of sex does she think werewolves have?"

A conjured image of Jacob's dancing pecs came to mind. Much to his utter confusion, she broke into peals of laughter, giggling until there were tears in her eyes for a different host of reasons.

Bella knelt in her garden, hands busy transplanting Sue's potted wedding chrysanthemums into the ground. Months had passed since her last run and she missed it like crazy. Mind cleared of all thoughts. Nothing but the sound of measured breaths and feet pounding away at the dirt. Gardening brought a similar serenity that allowed her to abandon all worries and focus on the task. As she worked, Amy, Liz and Angela lounged on the porch, enjoying iced-tea and the sunny outdoors. Their laughter floated around her and bolstered her air of contentment.

"I'm surprised Ryan let you plant those chrysanthemums, seeing how weird he gets about his lawn." Angela's eyes sparkled with mirth as she bit into her curried chicken sandwich.

"You should've seen the inquisition I had to go through. He kept going on about a man's right to protect his lawn's virtue." Bella laughed, recalling his earlier fussing. She succeeded in appeasing him with a tray of scones, and he skulked back to his room to feast.

Her trowel unearthed a wriggling earthworm, and her nose wrinkled in distaste. Though earthworms served an important purpose, she was not fond of the tubular creatures.

Liz noticed her repulsed expression and said, "Glad Ryan's not out here to see that."

Amy reached for the pitcher, pouring herself another glass of iced-tea. "What does he have against earthworms?"

"According to Ryan, earthworms are the deadbeats of garden society." Bella rolled her eyes, adjusting her wide-brimmed hat. The woven covering did a fantastic job of keeping the occasional beam off sunlight off her face. Sunburns were the last thing she needed in her final month of pregnancy.

"Seriously?" Angela quirked an eyebrow.

"Be glad you've never witnessed a grown man stand over an earthworm and scream get a job!" Liz laughed as she smeared butter on her apple scone.

"That man of yours is crazy," Angela giggled, teasing glint in her eyes.

"You don't know the half of it." Liz replied dryly, setting off more peals of laughter.

Bella's smile faded when her mind wandered back to Jacob's meeting with the Council. Her first time in attendance as his mate, and things couldn't have gone more wrong.

Amy, who'd been at the meeting, was the first to detect the morose shift in her mood. "Still thinking about the meeting?"

"Oh right I'd been meaning to ask how things went." Liz leaned forward with interest.

"Yeah, Alpha female. Tell us how your crowning went." Angela coaxed from her place beneath the protective shade of the patio umbrella.

Bella suppressed a grimace at the sudden show of interest. Great. Now she'd become their focus. When it came right down to it, she would've preferred discussing Ryan's foot-fungus to having this conversation.

"Jacob called a meeting to announce our official mating to the pack. It wasn't until he told them about my hair that the night went down the shitter." To busy herself, she set the mum down in a hole before packing soil around the roots.

"How bad was it?" Angela gave a sympathetic smile.

"Let's just say the word abomination got shouted a few times." Bella's grip on the trowel tightened. In his fury, Trevor condemned their union, saying any resulting children would taint the Alpha bloodline. Though he was the only one to voice his objection, she caught similar looks of distaste and unease among a few wolves, and sensed they shared Trevor's views.

Amy turned to the women beside her. "When Trevor said Bella was unfit to be Alpha female, I thought Jacob would put him through a wall."

"That specist asshole!" Liz fumed with a biting tone.

A wan smile stretched across Bella's lips as she fingered the ruffled edges of a petal. "You know Taylor always said people feared and hated what they didn't understand." She sat back with a weary sigh. "Going in I knew it was a lot to ask, but I was hoping for more tolerance from people who were already used to werewolves."

The rejection stung. It was no secret some wolves preferred Carmen and had routed for Jacob to resist the imprint. She'd assumed that spending the last few months nurturing a relationship with the pack had changed things. Had she mistaken tolerance for acceptance? Jacob loved her, but was it enough to build a life on the res surrounded by constant disapproval and suspicion? Could she place her daughter in the middle of that?

Liz's eyes took on a flat, hard look as she leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. "Do whatever makes you happy, Izzy. You can be their leader, their Alpha female or you could tell them to fuck off. You don't owe the pack anything. You never did."

"Thanks for your support." Bella's eyes prickled with tears of gratitude, but she blinked them away. At least she'd always have her fierce, scrappy defender in her corner. "Jacob asked me to give it time, so I'll wait. I'll do whatever it takes to get the Council to realize that draken are not a threat." And because she needed to lighten the mood, she joked. "In the words of Trent's racist grandma, if it's worth fighting to have, it's worth fighting to keep."

The resulting laughter eased the tension and lightened their moods, but Bella meant every word. This was her chance if she was to have a future with Jacob, to raise her daughter with him. No more running away the second things got hard. She had to tough out Trevor and Jolon's disapproval. She thought of Jacob and resisted the urge to check her phone again. His promised phone call had yet to come, and her reflexive phone checks were burgeoning on obsessive.

"Can't believe you won't let us throw a baby shower." Liz pouted, watching as Bella unscrewed her water bottle and drank.

Bella made a face. "A shower could come off as tacky since I'm not exactly hurting for money." Bella abandoned the bottle on a blanket. "Besides, I already bought the majority of stuff I need."

"Mel was complaining about your refusal yesterday. Said it's selfish to deny everyone the pleasure of gifting the baby." With a frustrated sigh Amy ran fingers through her shoulder length hair.

Liz's delicate face became stony. "If you wanted a shower, Mel would've been the first to call you greedy. What is her problem?"

"She's lashing out because she's scared." The braid on Bella's back twitched against the temptation to move. "With Carmen gone Mel and Tess are the only claimed ones left. They're outnumbered."

"What's that got to do with Mel being a giant bitch?" Angela shrugged her shoulders.

"Jacob leaving Carmen shook up the pack. It was his duty to show them away without imprinting. The wolves that don't want to imprint looked at claiming as their only chance. But if claiming didn't work out for their Alpha, what's left for the rest of them? Despite my complicated history with Jacob, all they see is him giving into the imprint. Succumbing to this thing that takes their will away."

"Leah and Sam," Angela murmured, her tense shoulders radiating discomfort.

"Damn, now I kinda feel sorry for Mel and Tess." Liz said, her features reluctantly softening. "Can't imagine how awful it is to worry about imprinting. They're probably terrified."

"That's why I think the wolf girls should always go the extra mile to include them. Convince them we're not the enemy. We're all in the same furry boat when the day ends."

The chime of the phone in her pocket interrupted the conversation. She tugged off her gloves, fished out the vibrating phone and checked the screen. Her mouth stretched into a grin at the sight of Jacob's name. The mere sight of his name made her sigh like a giddy teenager. She was still riding high on that cloud as she tucked the phone back into her pocket without answering.

"Wasn't that Jacob?" Liz asked.

"Yep." Bella returned to her gardening as though nothing happened. She tilted a pot on its side, thumping at the bottom to dislodge the plant it held.

The three women beneath the canopy shade shared confused looks. Liz tried again. "Why did you refuse his call when you've been carrying your phone all day?"

Bella raised one shoulder in a noncommittal shrug.

Confusion growing, Liz pressed. "Jacob said he'd call and now he'll think you missed his call on purpose."

"Won't he get mad?" Angela asked.

"Yeah but I like it when he's a little mad." Bella eyes took on a dreamy sheen. She couldn't explain why she found his aggression sexy or why she enjoyed antagonizing him.

"Found the freak." Angela laughed.

Bella turned her teasing grin on Angela. "You shouldn't talk having your own grouchy werewolf to deal with."

Angela buried her face in both palms and groaned. "Why'd you have to bring up Quil?"

"Dish!" Amy and Liz demanded in unison.

"He wants to ditch our strangers in the night deal and get serious. Although I care about him, knowing he's imprinted… I don't know." Conflicted, Angela turned to Bella for advice. "If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Would you take the risk?"

Bella fell silent, searching for the right words. "If this was five years ago, my answer would've been no. I wasn't strong enough to deal with that insecurity. Knowing his imprint was out there would've turned me into a basket case. But I'm a different person now. If Jacob wanted to claim me, I would've still taken the chance. But if the worst happened, and he met his imprint? My heart would break but it wouldn't stop." Experience had taught Bella a broken heart had the potential to ruin, but nothing was worse than death. Angela might've disagreed after suffering through a disastrous break with Trent that left her gutted. "You need to decide if Quil is worth the drama that comes along with being a wolf's mate."

Angela paused, deep in thought, her coral fingernails poking at her sandwich. "Is Jacob worth all the Council drama?"

"I'd say he is." Bella's answer came immediately, along with a wry smile. "Don't rush into a decision now. Take time to think about what you want."

"Trent gave the same advice." Angela smiled.

"Where is that tattooed bastard anyway? Haven't seen him all day." Liz peered over her shoulder as if expecting Trent to suddenly materialize out of thin air.

Angela's expression shifted from hopeful to mild annoyance, prompting Amy's concern. "Everything okay between you two?"

"Things are fine with us. In fact, Trent met a guy." Angela folded arms across her chest. "He's out with him right now."

Bella said. "Guess that explains how sneaky he's been of late." That and probably the desire to keep Ryan—who'd been weird about finding Trent a worthy conquest—from meddling in his love life.

"Any of you met him?" Though Angela tried to hide it, her hurt and anger surfaced in her clipped tone. But not due to jealousy. Her best friend was keeping secrets, and she didn't like it one bit.

Liz shook her head. "Didn't even know he'd been seeing someone until you told us."

Three pairs of eyes swung to Bella who ducked her head, busying herself with her mums. Nothing to see here folks. Nothing at all. "I try not to pry," she sniffed.

Her response drew incredulous stares and a trollish snort of disbelief from Angela.

"I said try." Water-can in hand, she struggled to her feet and winced when a small foot kicked her ribs from the inside. She pressed the sore ribcage and sighed. "Look I haven't met the guy. Just that Trent's been spending his lunch hour outside the cafe. He always looks happy when he gets back though. That's all I know." Bella didn't understand Trent's newfound need for secrecy. Why would he hide his new guy from them? Unless the guy was someone they knew…

Her hair grew tired of playing dead and sprung to life, knocking the hat off her head. Brunette strands twisted and coiled around themselves like she was a modern day Medusa waving to the world.

"What'd I say?" Bella snapped, jabbing a stern finger at the mass that froze midair. "You know the rules. No moving in public."

Several strands gave her finger an irritated flick before re-plaiting themselves in a braid that cascaded down her spine. Aside from the occasional twitch, no one would've guessed she had abnormal hair.

"Weird does not describe what just happened." Amy blinked owlishly.

"It's almost like it understood what you said." Angela looked as though she wanted to say more, but decided against it.

Liz pursed her lips, her perceptive gaze boring into Bella's skull, who could only guess at her thoughts. She was the only one to refrain from comment.

Bella managed a shrug with an awkward smile. What else was there to say? Carlisle had no concrete answers about what was happening to her. Only speculation. They wouldn't know anything until she had the baby.

A piercing howl brought Bella's silent musings to a screeching halt.

Eyes scanning the trees, Bella dropped the water-can on the ground. Her heartbeat spiked, wondering if it was Jacob.

"Izzy." Liz's forehead puckered in concentration as she stood, hands white-knuckling the railing.

"What are you sensing?" Bella cast a glance at Liz.

"A lot of rage and terror heading our way."

The earth rumbled beneath her feet like a herd of cattle heading in their direction. More than a little scared, Bella began to edge toward the stairs when a werewolf burst from the forest. Bella locked eyes with a sandy colored werewolf and it made a beeline for her. Hot in pursuit was a ferocious russet colored wolf. Jacob. He hastened his speed to land a vicious bite on the young wolf's tail. Micheal escaped injury by tucking his furry tail between his legs at the last moment. His small stature gave him the advantage of being faster than the Alpha. It was also the only thing that kept him from being shredded by Jacob's talons and fangs so far. Bella gasped as Micheal shifted mid-run, bones and limbs twisted into a grotesque deformity. Skin replaced fur, receding until he was a teenage boy again.

Michael naked.

Michael naked and headed straight for her.

Bella shrieked, her body tensed anticipating a collision, but he darted behind her. Jacob came to a skidding halt a few feet from where she stood shaking in her rubber wellies.

Hackles raised, Jacob's lips peeled back, baring elongated teeth in a snarl that chilled her bones. Despite the warmth of the day, condensation billowed from his muzzle in puffs. Behind him the pack emerged from the forest—mercifully wearing their cutoff shorts. They cautiously, stealthily made their way across the backyard.

"Hide me." Micheal gripped her from behind, his strong hands squeezing the hell out of her shoulders.

Bella suppressed a wince, focusing on the larger issue. "What's happened?"

Jacob issued a thick, menacing growl and Bella understood the unmistakable demand. Move!

Bella forgot her fear, anger finding itself a new home. Her spine stiffened, nostrils flaring as she faced the werewolf looming over her. "I will not move. If you want to discuss things like a human being, you have to shift."

Evidently not the response Jacob wanted. A savage growl ripped from his throat made the hair on her arms stand on end. Fur-covered ears flattened against his head as he raked the dirt with black, talons. She'd never seen Jacob like this before. Livid and on the verge of losing complete control. It had something to do with her pregnancy's mood altering effects on him. She'd seen Sam's unhinged behavior with her own eyes. And yet while she was sympathetic there was little she could've done to help until he cut the bullshit posturing.

"Don't you take that tone of growl with me, Jacob Black. Tell me what Michael did to piss you off this time?"

Michael spoke from behind his human shield. "Me? He's out of his fucking mind! It's not my fault–"

Another snarl ripped from Jacob's throat.

"Jacob," Bella whispered.

He quit pacing and began the shift to his human body. Fur and limbs contorted until a slab of muscle and rage towered over her in all his furious, naked glory. Even without the sharp claws and teeth he painted a more intimidating picture.

"I saw you kiss him." Jacob ground the accusation out between gritted teeth.

"We all saw you." Paul piped up unhelpfully and wolves gathered to stare her down. Too bad Embry's wasn't among them. She could've used a friendly face.

Oh boy. Bella swallowed hard.

"First, not fond of your tone." She directed that statement at Jacob and Paul. "Second, Michael kissed me. He stopped before I knew what was happening."

"Not quick enough," Jacob growled and made a grab for Michael who dodged and hid behind Bella.

"Please calm down?" Bella said and her braid chose that moment to smack Micheal in the face. A retaliation for her aching shoulders.

"Don't tell me to calm down." Jacob snarled, his muscled chest rose and fell with ragged breathing. "You promised there'd be no more secrets, then you deliberately hide this from me?"

Paul, Jared and Sam creeped toward Jacob, intending to restrain him if he went for Michael again.

"Why wouldn't you tell me?"

She heard the wolf whine in his voice and sensed his hurt. A wave of guilt washed over her. Again they came back to her keeping secrets from him. If they wanted their relationship to work, things couldn't be like it was before.

She walked up to Jacob, settled palms on his chest and peered up at his face. "I didn't say anything because there was nothing to tell. You were still with Carmen, Jake. Michael was having a tough time and made one stupid mistake. A mistake he already apologized for. Please don't make this a bigger deal than it was."

"Just one kiss?" Jacob asked Micheal after a long moment of silence.

"Yeah," Michael eyed Jacob skeptically, expecting to get torn to shreds at any minute.

Jacob relaxed a fraction, his scowl easing. He gave into her attempts to coax a smile, the corner of his mouth twitching.

The wolves breathed a collective sigh of relief, thinking the danger had passed. Micheal would live to annoy another day.

Bella allowed herself to relax and poke a little fun at his overreaction. "I don't get you. One little kiss and you lose your mind. But Embry sees me naked and not a word out of you."

Her laughter met an abrupt end, grin fading when Jacob's mouth flattened in a harsh line. Shit!

Paul slapped himself in the forehead. Sam heaved an exhausted sigh, and the pack returned to their prior alertness.

Realization hit Bella like a mack truck. Jacob knew nothing of that day. Somehow Embry managed to keep that incident private. An incident she just blabbed to Jacob and the pack.

Jacob seized both hands against his chest, holding her captive in his strong grip. His pupils enlarged until his eyes were two bottomless pits glaring at her. At the moment she knew Jacob had left the building, and she was dealing with the wolf now. The irrational, obsessive, possessive, dismember-at-any-man-that-came-near-her wolf.

When the wolf spoke in its calm even tone, her heart pounded in her chest. This was bad. Jacob and Embry's relationship had yet to recover from his petition to claim her. When last they spoke, Embry admitted he couldn't venture near the workshop without Jacob trying to take a chunk out of him. In the wolf's eyes, Embry had become the enemy the second he challenged the Alpha's right to his imprint. It was all one gigantic mess. And now she just confessed to being naked in the same room as Embry.

"When did Embry see you naked?" Jacob asked, and she caught a flash of fangs.

"Last year." She swallowed, wishing he would yell. The calm, controlled voice unnerved her.

"When?" Jacob growled.

It was just after I got back from Florida. I was having a bad day and Embry helped me out of the shower. The truth was she had a breakdown in the shower. Couldn't stop crying. Didn't even noticed when the hot water ran out. Embry found her shivering and sobbing on the bathroom floor. She'd forever be grateful to him for looking after her. "I didn't mention it because it—"

"Wasn't a big deal." Jacob finished, his mouth taking on a bitter, sardonic slant.

"I was okay with it." She came to regret her choice of words when he snarled.

"Why are you okay with him touching you when you're naked?"

She exhaled a breath, her own anger stirring to life. A million months pregnant. Echoes of a persistent pain in her hip. She was hungry with several pounds of baby break-dancing on her bladder. She was in no mood for this bullshit.

"You know what? No." Jacob wasn't thinking clearly, driven by testosterone and whatever the fuck else lunatic werewolves ran on. She had to adopt rationality for the both of them and talk him off the ledge before she dropped kicked his ass off it.

"What do you mean no?" His eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"No, I won't be interrogated over one of the worst moments of my life. Either you trust me or you don't." His grip loosened enough for her hands to slip free. "If you can't trust me, this won't work."

Doubt flickered in his eyes, the muscle in his jaw relaxing as even-tempered Jacob resurfaced. He seized her hand again, but this time his grip was gentle. His soft words were fervent, tender. "I… I trust you, Bells."

She offered a tentative smile. One he returned, transforming his crazed mercenary mask into the breathtakingly handsome face she loved so much. She reminded herself that he wasn't in full control due to her pregnancy. He needed her patience, her understanding. Once she had the baby, he would return to normal. Those soothing, calming thoughts were promptly tossed into a dumpster when Embry emerged from the forest, fastening his shorts.

"Hey, guys." Embry's unruly eyebrows furrowed at them. "Why's everyone standing around?"

That was all it took for her lovable Alpha to lose his damn mind again.

Jacob whirled around with a vicious growl, sinewy muscles charged with fury and adrenaline. Embry's steps faltered, confusion rippling across his features. If his survival instincts didn't kick in soon, her poor friend was about to get the snot kicked out of him.

"Embry, run!" Bella yelled.

Jacob took off like a shot and Embry followed suit, dashing into the forest with a livid Alpha hot on his ass. In seconds the forest swallowed them whole, and Bella sorely regretted getting out of bed.

Bella cupped hands around her mouth. "Jacob Black, if you hurt him, you'll be sleeping alone tonight!"

Something large crashed into a tree. The forest came alive with the grate of growls. She turned to the pack. "Sam, would you go get him?"

Sam heaved another sigh before making his selection. "Paul, Quil come—" He changed his mind upon hearing a menacing howl. "All wolves come with me."

The pack followed him into the woods, and Bella turned back to Michael who's attention was focused elsewhere. Particularly on flexing his muscles for three ogling women.

He flashed a shit-eating grin and greeted, "Ladies." He glanced down the length of his naked body then back at them. "Yeah that's right."

Jacob was right. The fresh little pervert needed his balls put on ice.

Bella marched up to him and landed a slap on his arm. "Put your jailbait penis away!"

"You're embarrassing me!" Michael's face darkened, his lower lip pouting.

She propped hands on her hips. "Oh, I'll do more than embarrass you if you don't put your pants back on right now!"

Under her reproachful gaze, Michael dragged on his pants all the while grumbling about her ruining his game. Bella turned toward the twittering women and snapped, "I'm thinking of baking a cake with a file in it!"

In seconds, they redirected their gazes while smothering their laughter. Pants back on, Micheal helped himself to the vacant seat beside Liz and the platter of remaining sandwiches.

Bella sighed in exasperation, admitting that Micheal had the right idea. Judging by the commotion in the woods, she expected Jacob to take a while. She might as well throw a meal together for herself as she waited for him to come to his senses. Her fingers massaged the ache in her lower back as she climbed the steps to the porch. She was way too pregnant for this mess.

"Interesting life you lead, Bella." Angela's mouth curved in a mischievous grin as Bella shuffled through the back door.

Her eyes fell on the fridge calender and Edward's face appeared in her mind. How long had it been since they talked? He promised to call her after his return to the Volturi, but she'd heard nothing from him. Now that she thought about it, Alice hadn't called her either. Which was strange considering she'd been expecting to fend off an avalanche of Alice's baby gifts. And when she asked Carlisle about them, he always somehow brought the conversation back to her pregnancy. Nothing about it helped the growing sense of dread in her stomach.

She was digging through her phone for Edward's number before she realized it. The need to hear his voice, know he and the others were okay overwhelmed her. A soft thump drew her attention, and she glanced up to see Jacob lurking in the doorway. Her heart quickened.

His eyes had returned to its natural state, and he'd even found his pants again. The angular lines of his face, the sculpted perfection of his body captivated her. Dark, dangerous, feral. He was both leader and lifeblood of his pack. God, he was magnificent. Hard eyes locked on her face, he stalked toward her, his intent clear in his piercing gaze. He reached for her and she evaded his grasp, placing the counter between them. Displeased by her refusal, his mouth flattened into a hard line.

"Is Embry okay?"

"Define okay?" A hint of amusement warmed his eyes. Now that the wolf had asserted its dominance, it was in the mood to play. Preferably with her underwear.

"Jacob." She drew in a long breath, irritation growing. In response, animated strands uncoiled themselves from her braid and flowed down her back in a writhing waterfall.

"The pack stopped me from doing too much damage." He made another grab for her hand, but she sidestepped to the opposite end of the counter.

She tapped fingernails against the granite. "Did any of the wolves get hurt?"

"Define hurt."

A charming smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and she gave a huff of annoyance. He was toying with her emotions, but his humor was lost on her. Where Embry was concerned, things had to change.

"You can't lose your shit each time a guy looks at me."

His face darkened, eyes becoming serious. "Embry is not just a guy."

"It's not like that with us and you know it."

"You know it, but does he?" Jacob shot back, his grip on the granite island tightening.

Bella searched for the magic words that would ease his paranoia, only to come up empty. If Jacob couldn't let go of his lingering resentment, his friendship with Embry wouldn't survive. Why couldn't their friendship return to normal? Why couldn't it be as it was before Embry's confession? Now they existed in a state of weirdness and uncertainty.

While she was distracted, Jacob circled the island and closed the distance between them. Heat warmed her cheeks as he drew her into his searing embrace. His proximity sparked a wave of lust. And the furry bastard knew it would. When Bella opened her mouth to complain he took advantage, swooping in to seize her mouth, laying his claim. Her traitorous body responded, rebellious strands clung to his muscular shoulders, her prior irritation thawing beneath his heated assault. Primal scent and feverish lust surrounded her, hands reach down to knead her ass.

Desperate to regain rational thought, she pressed palms against his chest, tearing her mouth free of his passionate kiss. They had to stop. Any second her friends could venture in from outside, Ryan could journey to the kitchen for his afternoon snack tribute. "We… we have discuss this," she breathed.

Rough hands fisted her hair, exposing the pale skin of her throat. His wicked tongue licked a blazing trail toward her ear.

"You sure?" he asked darkly before drawing her sensitive earlobe into the warm depth of his mouth. She shivered, sucking in a sharp breath. The man was pure sex, ruthlessly battering away at her poorly constructed defenses.

"You don't play fair," she lamented, caressing the hard ridges of his abdomen.

"Never said I would." He sank teeth into her earlobe. A sharp bite of pain drove her to dizzying heights.

"I'm still mad at you." A last ditch pout.

"Be mad after." He scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs.

She forgot about Edward and Alice and her cryptic feelings. By the time she remembered, it was too late to stop the danger coming for her.

A/N: Had to cut this chapter short to get it out. But what I cut will be included in next chapter. I always post schedule updates on my forum to keep readers informed. Link to forum on my profile page.

Back to the story

For reasons she doesn't understand, Bella is wary of Carlisle.

Bella is convinced it's more than just moving hair. Any theories?

Jacob isn't bothered by Bella's hair. The wolf is sticking with his mate.

The Council and pack have reservations about Jacob and Bella's union.

Trent's gotta boyfriend. Any guesses?

Quil wants to get serious with Angela. Should she take the risk?

Jacob tries to gut Micheal for kissing Bella.

Embry and Bella's naked secret is out in the open.

Jacob loses his shit and tries to murder two wolves.

Micheal tries to indulge his older woman fantasy.

Jacob distracts Bella from contacting Edward. She'll come to regret that.

Review and receive your teasers.