NTYP Chapter 36

Time Keeps Moving On

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie meyer Owns Twilight

A/N:

Thanks so much for R&R, please don't forget to leave me some love! I couldn't write this story without you all! Wolfie Hugs and Happy Holidays everybody! xoxoDGMU

Time keeps moving on
Through the sunshine and the storm
And my dreams are set in stone
And someday I'll be who I want to be
For now I'll wait
For the sun to shine again
And for now I'll wait
For the rain to pass away

And I'm looking for the brighter days
When all my hurts seem to fade away
I'm looking for the brighter days to come my way

Brighter Days-Leeland

Los Angeles, California

-Leah-

I had been living in Los Angeles, CA for a month since I left my home, my family back in LaPush. My smelly apartment was not the best, but it was all I could afford with my crappy income. The paint was peeling, there were more roaches living in my home than there were people in the whole city.

Working at the coffee shop had been okay so far. Everyone was too damn cheery all the time, and I probably seemed like an angry witch to them all...but I didn't fucking care. Since I had never made a damn cup of coffee in my life, I was left with the lovely position of cashier.

I would be working at the front counter when the thought of my mom or Seth, or even Jacob would come to the forefront of my mind. When this happened, usually when somebody was in the process of ordering or handing me their money, I would have to dart away to the restroom...leaving one of my fellow employees to take over.

Sure, it was embarrassing to have those little outbursts. Crying on the toilet in a coffee shop bathroom when you know everyone can hear you outside the door, that's not what I ever could have wanted in life.

As I sat in the bathroom, my head hung and my makeup running, I would wonder how my mom was. I missed her. I missed her so fucking much, and I knew she probably missed me. I had left, trying to allow my family and friends to finally have a drama-free life without me. But I couldn't help in wondering if they hated me more than ever now.

Looking in the mirror, I wiped my eyes with toilet paper and got my shit together before my boss became seriously pissed (which would usually happen). I hated Rick. For a manager, he was just an asshole and everything you did was always wrong in some sort of way. Prick.

At the end of the day, I'd close the register and tell all of my coworker 'friends' I'd see them in the morning before getting in my dad's car and heading back to my apartment...alone. Yeah right, 'friends'. Who was I kidding? My friends were those smartass, macho, pigheaded, overgrown puppies down at LaPush whom I loved so much, but I knew I would probably never see them again.

I'd drag my feet into my cold apartment, dropping my bag and removing my apron, throwing it on the floor. I hadn't phased in so long, I was aching for my bones to stretch and pop again, to feel free and wild. That feeling, I never thought I would miss, but I did fucking miss it.

I'd lost weight, too. I was normally pretty buff for a girl, but I was looking frail lately. Though, not as frail as Bella. I was probably not eating enough to sustain a wolf like me. As I ate my ramen noodles, I wondered if Bella and Jacob were happy. What were they doing at that exact moment? What was everyone down at LaPush doing without me?

Laying on my bed, above the covers and staring at the ceiling, I'd want to call my brother...to tell him happy birthday. Yeah, Seth's birthday had passed, and I didn't even have enough money to keep my cell phone. I wasn't able to call him, to tell him I missed him and that I missed looking out for him. Maybe someday I would have the balls to call my mom and tell her I loved her, that I was okay, that I was sorry for not being a great daughter when she deserved for me to be.

Every night I'd fall asleep on that cold, stiff bed thinking of everything I had left behind...wondering why I made the stupid mistake of leaving.

It was a colder morning than usual for LA as I jumped from my car, making a dash for the lit up coffee shop, the jingle bells on the doorknob dinging as I walked in. I was 5 minutes late for work, but this job was all I had and I wanted to give my best if anything was going to come of it.

Thank God, I finally got a promotion that day for being the world's best damn cashier a coffee shop ever had. I was even allowed to make drinks because we were short on staff, but that was a hell of a lot of work for me. I like to drink it, not make the damn stuff, thank you.

Cafe Java's owner, Mrs. Wakefield was so fucking nice, but somehow she didn't get on my nerves. Usually nice people made me angry, but this lady reminded me of my father. Her personality was warm, and for the woman's age, she had very few wrinkles on her face.

Her champagne blonde hair was always pulled back into a bun and fastened with a fancy little hair pin. Today, she was wearing sparkling earrings with dangling Christmas trees and a lovely green and red sequin dress. She would come in 2 or 3 times a week for her signature coffee and a strawberry cheese danish. Her eyes always held a smile in them, and it reminded me of my father's warm smile.

"Can I get you anything else, ma'am?" I asked her as I brought her the coffee and danish.

"No thank you, honey." She took a sip of her coffee and I gave her a smile as I turned to get back to work.

"Dear? Did you make this?"

"Uh, um...yes, yes I did. Ma'am, I'm sorry if it's not the way it should taste, I am new at the coffee brewing, um, making, I mean...um...I'm used to counting money..." God, I sounded like a fucking imbecile.

"No, no dear. This is absolutely perfect. I haven't tasted a Caramel Brulée Latte like this in my entire life. It is amazing."

Wow, I was blushing. I didn't know making a good cup of coffee could make me feel that good.

"Th-thank you, ma'am." I said, trying not to sound as excited as I was.

"No, thank you...miss...Leah." She looked at my name tag and smiled at me. "I'm Sahara Wakefield."

"I know." I smiled and took her hand to shake it.

"I'm glad we have your skilled hands making coffee for my customers. I only want to serve the best, and this my dear, is just wonderful. How much are they paying you? I don't want you going anywhere else, now."

After giving me a second pay raise (alright, it was only a dollar more an hour, but...), I was on cloud nine the rest of the day. No snobby, irritating, impatient businessmen in a hurry to get back to work could get me down.

Mrs. Wakefield stuck a huge sign on the front window encouraging people to come try our amazing holiday beverage. I made so many perfect Caramel Brulée Latte's that day, I almost forgot there were other kinds of coffee.

A few days later, I was still making a million Caramel Brulée's and my coworkers would give me dirty looks. I didn't really care that I had not grown close to Jinger, Frank, or Kimberly. They had always avoided me, even though they would pretend to be my friend sometimes. They most likely had issues liking me because for the first month I worked there, I pretty much had a permanent sneer on my face.

There were a couple hot guys, James and Darren that would sometimes work during my shifts. They would brush past me, practically rubbing their crotches against my ass every chance they got. James was hot with his jet black hair and blue eyes. Darren was pretty dreamy with his blonde curls and full lips, but nothing compared to Jake. Oh I still thought of Jacob often, but I tried to ignore the pain.

I hadn't phased in the four months I had been in Los Angeles, and I was getting used to being a normal human. Well, as normal as it were possible for me to be. There were the days when customers would be jackasses, ordering extra shots of espresso and then telling me that I was trying to kill them with a heart attack, that they had not ordered an extra shot at all...

Yes, those were the times when I would begin to shake, and I would have to remind myself I could still phase if I got angry enough.

One night, it was another unusually cold one, I was fixing to close the cafe and I was tired. Everyone else had gone home, but I always volunteered to close because it gave me more hours. My rent had gone up a hundred bucks a month and I was already struggling enough. Bills were piling up, and my car was beginning to make funny noises. God, where was Jake when I needed him? I knew where he was, and I began to cry as I swept the crumbs from the floor.

The door jingled and I remembered how I hadn't locked it. Damnit.

"We're closed." I said without looking up from the broom sweeping against the hard tiled floor.

"I know, ma'am. I am looking for someone."

My body stopped moving, I couldn't believe the voice I heard. I knew I was going to fucking pass out. The room began to sway.

"Miss? Are you alright?" The familiar smooth, deep voice said again.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I was so afraid to look up and find that it was not Jake speaking to me. After all, he would never call me 'miss'...would he? No, it couldn't be Jacob.

"I'm, I'm fine..." I turned to look at the man standing in front of the glass door. "Who are you looking...f-for...?"

His beautiful face was all I could see, his tall, dark and handsome form stood out from everything else. The room around us stretched and turned to streaks as my eyes zeroed in on his. So deep, so piercing.

So perfect.

La Push, Washington

Bella's POV

Weeks had gone by since Leah's disappearance. Everybody had pretty much accepted the fact that she would probably not be returning. Sue and Seth Clearwater were taking it the hardest. Whenever I saw them, there was a sadness in their eyes that you could not ignore.

I had the pleasure of seeing Seth a lot since I moved in with Jake. He was such a sweet kid with a cheery disposition nearly all of the time. But lately, he was always depressed and I hated that. I tried to cheer him up by asking him to stay after his patrol shift was over. We would play video games or watch HBO while Jacob snoozed on the sofa. Jake was tired a lot, but I figured it was because he had begun patrolling with Embry every evening.

I'd been living at the Black's house for almost 3 weeks, and it was amazing. I'd never been so happy. It felt like home to me and I was so comfortable. Billy was so warm and kind, and loved to give me bear hugs like his son. He said it was nice having a woman around the house again.

Embry, Quil and Jared would stop by every day to see Jake. Embry would sometimes take me aside and ask how he was doing, but I had to break it to him that Jake could honestly be better. Wouldn't he know that if they patrolled together? Maybe Jacob had his thoughts guarded well.

Quil and Embry always took Jake fishing down at the creek not far from the house every chance they could steal him away from me. They'd all barge in the front door with their fish they caught, stomping their muddy boots all over the floors I tried so hard to keep clean. But it only made me smile, because Jake would be so enthusiastic showing me those stinky fish. I was so happy that he had his brothers, but they could be really annoying...especially when they'd shake those smelly fish in my face, shouting and showing off who caught the most.

Paul stopped by some nights, bringing a pack of soda and chips. He and Jake would sit and talk for hours, and it surprised me that Paul actually got Jake to laugh at his ridiculous dirty jokes. Many of the dirty jokes would lead him to speak of the scar on my neck. That embarrassed Jacob and his cheeks would turn bright red and he'd shake his head. But there was a beautiful twinkle in his eyes when he looked at the light colored scar and I knew he was proud. Paul was a ladies man, but he could be downright vulgar sometimes. Still, we couldn't help but find his jokes hilarious nonetheless. Yes, life on the rez was fun and I was fitting in well.

I would try to hide the mark with my hair, my clothes, or makeup when I was around my dad. Charlie hadn't taken my move very well at all. In fact, he had been extremely sad about it and tried everything he could come up with to talk me out of it. He was spending so much time with Sue now that I knew he would be alright with me gone, he just needed to see that I was not a little girl anymore. I assured Charlie I still loved him, but I was a grown woman and Jacob needed me. Charlie knew that.

Jacob and I would visit Charlie as often as we could. Sometimes we would go on double dates with Charlie and Sue, and to be honest, I really liked Miss Clearwater. I could see what my father saw in her. She was a strong, caring, spiritual woman. Those were qualities that were something to admire, and I could definitely see the admiration in Charlie's eyes when he looked at her.

It was wonderful to see Jake and my dad getting along again. Charlie came to me after the first night they had gone bowling...just the two of them, and he told me that Jake was an amazing guy, and that he had been wrong to assume anything else about him. Charlie told me he could also see that Jacob was not that different from how he used to be...and that he definitely was not a mental case. I would roll my eyes, of course.

The day I had moved into Jakes house, bringing with me only my one bag of clothes, my dreamcatcher, and bracelet, I was a little nervous at first. I wondered where I should sleep or if I should keep the pda down between me and Jacob. At first, Billy said I could sleep on the sofa, but after a few days, I would wake up in the middle of the night and crawl into bed with Jacob. Eventually, I just began skipping the sofa altogether. Jacob was too warm to let go of, and he did not complain about me being in his bed.

The pull and desire between the two of us was too much to ignore, and we would end up sharing our bodies every night. We would never get tired of each other. If anything, the more we had of each other, the more we craved.

Jacob worked so hard around his house, it made me feel lazy. The man was amazing at everything he put his mind to and it made me feel that much more undeserving of him. We would wash dishes together and even cook meals together. I especially enjoyed the difficult recipes, because it gave me an excuse to make a mess with all of the ingredients. I'd laugh and kiss his flour-covered cheek, and he'd squirt honey all over me saying I'd never looked so sweet. Billy would come in sometimes and just shake his head at the scene.

I wasn't surprised when everything Jake took out of the oven came out perfectly. I'd say it was all because of me, though my hand in helping wasn't a huge one and I knew he was the one who really did everything right.

He ate pretty much anything I whipped up, though, including my boxed mac n cheese or canned spaghetti. He was not picky at all. He even enjoyed my mushroom casserole, which, I admit, was actually pretty good. I made some damn good fried chicken, too. Billy loved the fried chicken.

Jake let me hang out during the pack meetings, and his alpha voice was downright scary sometimes...but when I watched him giving orders, I couldn't help but only see my best friend. He might be an alpha, but I was the one who got to see the softer side of him, when his face was not furrowed into the stern one of a chief. No, I would smooth those lines out of his forehead easily with my lips when night came. But the red eyes came back into our lives, changing things.

The nightmares were haunting him again, but it was every night. I'd wake up from his groans and sometimes screams in the middle of the night. I would bring him close to me, cradling his head as I rocked him back and forth, telling him I was there and we were okay.

Billy thought it was good of me to be with Jacob during those terrible nights. I would be the one to calm him when he woke suddenly, sweaty and unaware of where he was, sometimes growling at nothing as if there was something ready to attack him.

Most nights, he would wake up and nearly smother me with his huge body, as if shielding me from something. I would gently tell him it was alright, that we were in his room, in his bed and nothing was trying to hurt me. It killed me to watch him suffering.

Another week went by before the night terrors stopped, and his eating became normal again and I could see the difference in his face. He would smile that gorgeous white smile and my heart burst with hope. Things were going to be okay now, I just knew it. Things were going to be somewhat normal. He was going to be able to sleep again.

September came around fast and Jacob and the boys spent a lot of their free time fishing.

"Let's be serious, guys. We all know I caught the most. Not to mention, the biggest!" Jacob announced proudly as he dumped a tray of ice into the sink with the fresh fish.

"Aw, you wish, man!" Quil came back at him. "Bella, tell our boy Jake here who's been fishing longer than you've even known him. We all know I caught the most." He pointed to his chest.

"Quil," I laughed. "...I wouldn't bet on that. Jake's a pro at everything."

"I'm just playin', Bells. Embry actually caught the most." Jacob said as he kissed my lips.

We all heard the toilet flush and Embry came from the bathroom, his head turning to the window. "Hey guys? Uh...why is Quil's car rolling down the road?"

"Fuck! I always forget to put it in park!" Quil nearly knocked Embry down trying to get out the door.

We all began to laugh hysterically. "Have you boys been drinking?" I asked and Jacob lifted me up and kissed my lips again.

Before I knew it, my birthday had arrived. Jacob insisted on baking me my birthday cake. Emily came over to help prepare for the party and to help Jake with the cake. I overheard her asking him to let Sam have more time off duty. He was getting sick and it was hurting them as imprints.

"Sure, Ems. I didn't even think of that. I'm sorry." He told her genuinely concerned.

"He doesn't really get along with Paul too well, so maybe he shouldn't take shifts with him anymore." She said sweetly, putting her arms around Jake.

"Sure, yeah, okay." Jacob agreed and kissed her on the head.

"I understand he's not invited to the party, but don't you think you could let him off patrolling just for a little while? To rest?"

Jacob hesitated but reluctantly allowed her to call Sam, allowing him to go home and get some sleep.

It was time. Time for my birthday party, and I hated the attention. But the small house was filled with every Quileute I loved and my father was also there. It would have been perfect if my mom had been able to fly in from Florida, but I was so happy, how could I ask for more? How could I complain that the man I loved was throwing me a party? I was filled with so many emotions, receiving so much love from all of them.

They sang 'happy birthday' songs to me, and even one in their beautiful native language that I'd never heard before. I couldn't help but smile being surrounded by all of these beautiful people. Although, it was almost strangely sad not having Leah with us.

After I blew out my 19 candles, Jake scooped me up into a crushing bear-hug and kissed me hard.

"Happy birthday, Bells. I hope the cake is better than it looks."

"It looks delicious, Jacob. Thank you...for everything." I kissed him again brushed my hands through his hair before he set me down.

I received some Quileute jewelry from Emily, and it was absolutely beautiful. Charlie gave me a can of pepper spray and I rolled my eyes. He also gave me a poorly wrapped red pocket knife, and a photo album that was filled with photos of when I was a child and all my adventures in LaPush and Forks. It was amazing seeing old pictures of me and Jacob, how young Charlie and Billy looked.

"Sue put it together for you." I looked up at Sue who had a sweet smile across her face.

"Thank you, Sue. I really love it." I hugged her and then Charlie, thanking them again.

Quil gave me fishing wader boots that had a big, pink bow clumsily wrapped around them. "Seriously Quil?"

"Now you have no reason not to go fishing with us. Right Jake?" Quil and Jake laughed and I shook my head.

Jared's gift was next, and I could tell it was a dvd. I ripped the yellow paper and gave him an angry glare.

"What?" Jared stood up. "You know, you could take some pointers from her if you..."

I threw the boxed set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer at him and he darted. "That's not funny, Jared!" I stayed angry for as long as I could, but everyone was laughing so I wasn't far behind.

I was still laughing when I opened Seth's gift. "Aww, I love this game! Soul Calibur is my fave, I'm serious."

Seth grinned from ear to ear. "It's on now. I am the master with Mitsurugi, just watch. You're going down."

"Whatever! Xiangua can kick Mitsurugi's ass any day."

"Xiangua sucks!"

We laughed, ate butt loads of cake, and played games all day. It was so fun and I didn't know why I had ever steered away from parties before. This was perfect.

Before everyone went home, we held a moment of prayer for Leah, hoping she was alright wherever she was in the world. Sue wiped her eyes and received hugs from everyone. Seth slowly got up and exited the house with a blank expression across his face, slamming the door behind him.

After everyone said goodbyes and left, Jacob took a lantern from the hall closet and lit it.

"Come on, Bells." He took my hand, pulling me outside into the dark.

"Where are we going?" I giggled.

"I haven't given you your birthday present yet."

"Jake." I groaned. "You don't need to give me anything. You've already done enough."

"Shhh. Just, trust me. You'll like it."

We got to the door of his garage and he unlocked it, opening the rusty doors and leading me inside.

When he flipped the light on, I couldn't believe my eyes. That was not my truck. It was too beautiful, too nice, too new.

"What did you do to it?" I whispered as I stared at it's glorious paint job.

"You..you don't like it?" His brow scrunched and he walked to my side, wrapping an arm around me. "I thought, I mean..." He said gently with his deep voice.

I closed my eyes and dropped my head, tears sprinkling to the dusty floor. "I don't...like it."

Jacob cupped my cheek. "Bells, what's the matter ..."

"I love it. I love it so much. I can't believe you worked this hard on it. It's better than it was before. How did you do it?" It was fixed. Jacob fixed it.

He held me in his arms as I thanked him and cried against his warm chest.

"Oh, gosh." he sighed. "I was afraid you hated it, Bells."

"It's perfect." I sniffed.

"The engine should run smoothly, no bumpiness in the ride. I gave it a new paint job, and I kept the same color. Figured you liked it red. Has 3 clear coats over the paint, damn that stuff is toxic I tell you. My lungs were hurting like hell for a while." He chuckled.

"How did you have time to do this? How did I not know?"

"I'm good." He winked and gave me that sexy grin.

Then it hit me.

"Patrolling...you and Embry. You haven't been patrolling, Jake, you've been out here!"

Jacob shrugged.

"I don't even want to know how in the world you got the body fixed."

"Good. Don't ask." He released me and walked over to the truck, opening the passenger door. "It was not easy getting the parts I needed, but Billy knows some people...and well. Let's just say he's a great man."

"Yes." I nodded. "Yes he is." I rushed to Jacob and jumped in his arms, kissing him like he was my water in the middle of the most dry and hottest desert.

"Mmm. Bella." He managed to get out between our lips. "Bella. I just wanted to show you the interior." He struggled to turn his head toward the truck but I held his face in my hands tight and kissed him with desperation.

"No. Kiss me, Jacob. Kiss me now." I panted between his lips, kissing him like a crazy woman and feeling the soft insides of his mouth with my tongue. He moaned and took me to the bed of the truck.

Jacob made slow, sweet love to me that night.

It had been 2 months since my birthday, and things were still absolutely wonderful. How could life be so good to me? How could life be so good to anyone?

"How are you feeling, Jake?"

"Mmmm. Tired. " He yawned and held me close as we snuggled in his bed. It had been a long day and we had been unpacking Christmas stuff from the attic, preparing for the Holidays. Billy always had to go all out when it came to decorating.

I was thankful that Billy didn't care that we slept together. I guess the fact I was Jacob's imprint had something to do with it.

"It's late. Go to sleep." I whispered and traced my fingers over his lips.

"I don't want to." He mumbled with his eyes closed. I sighed and took the little bear that was sticking out from under his pillow.

"This little guy is really cute." I held the love-worn little bear up and pressed it to Jake's face. "Mr. Blue says you're not allowed to have any more bad dreams ever again."

"Bells." He groaned and took the bear from my hands. "I can't sleep with this thing anymore." He looked at the old bear closely.

"Why not, Jake? He's always been on your bed, whether you want to admit you sleep with a teddy bear or not." I giggled.

"I don't sleep with teddy bears. I don't have bad dreams anymore, anyway. I don't dream at all."

"Jake..."

"Okay fine, maybe I used to sleep with teddy bears, but not anymore."

"You don't dream of me?" I pouted, jutting my bottom lip out.

"Oh now, don't make me..." He leaned in and took my lip between his teeth, then he kissed me gently. I tingled all over. "Of course I dream about you." He kissed my cheek and laid back down, sighing.

"Jacob, your mom made this you know." I took the bear from his hands.

"I know." He said quietly. "I remember her."

"You do? Oh my gosh." I couldn't breathe I was so happy for him. "Jake, that's wonderful!" I cupped his face and kissed his nose.

"I can't remember much because I was too young, but, I remember when she died."

"Wow. I'm so sorry." I felt so terrible to see the pain in his eyes. What a horrid thing to remember.

"Don't be sorry. It was a long time ago." He frowned and pursed his lips. "Do you ever wish that I was my old self again?"

I looked up into his eyes. They were beautiful and they were Jacob's. To me there was no 'old' him anymore. There was just Jacob, and I loved him just the way he was.

"Don't say that ever again." I frowned angrily at him.

"What? What did I say?"

"OLD self. I love you just the way you are."

"You don't ever wish that you could go back in time and stop me from fighting the Newborns?"

"Well, of course I do, Jacob. I would prevent that if there was some way that I could. But that's only to prevent all of this fucking pain you have gone through. I love you just as much as I ever have, and I love you more each day." I laid my head against his bare chest and trailed my fingers over his collarbone.

"Do you mean it, Bella? Really?"

"I mean every word, Jake."

"Do you ever miss Edward?"

Oh. my. GOD.

"NO." I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Please don't talk about him ever again." I whined.

"Don't get upset, please. I just wonder sometimes."

"Well, stop wondering."

"He does't come around. I mean, he doesn't even fight for you. He's really stupid you know. I would fight for you if he took you away from me. I would never leave you alone."

"I know that. I know." My lips turned up into a sad smile. That statement was oh so true. He never gave up on me, never. Oh god, but it just got me thinking about the incident when Edward came to my room, giving me that stupid ring and...

"I would at least give you a note, a letter, something to keep you thinking of me." His tone was different when he said that. I got up from the bed and pulled on a hoodie, hoping I would get out of the room before he started asking questions.

"I'm going to get some hot chocolate. Want some?"

"Bella. I found a note in your room, and I know it's not your handwriting."

I ran a hand nervously through my hair.

"Your room smelled sweet that day, too. And what about the broken lamp on the floor? I don't remember that happening when we were..."

"The bed was shaking pretty bad, Jake, the lamp probably just fell..."

"No. No, Bella. It didn't fall. What happened?" He got out of the bed and walked to me, tilting his head down to see my eyes. "What happened? Did he come to see you? Did he do something to you while I was at Sam's? I'm here for you, Bella. You can tell me." His dark eyes pierced mine and I knew I needed to tell him.

"Edward came to my house while you were gone." God, I hated myself for being so honest.

"I knew it." He growled. "What did he do Bella? What did that fucker do to you?" His eyes were searching mine wildly and I didn't know if he looked more worried or angry.

"Don't get mad, Jake." I whimpered and couldn't meet his eyes.

"I'm not mad at you, honey. I'm not mad. Just tell me what he did, please." I felt his burning hands trembling as he held my arms.

"He wanted me to have this ring that he got all the way from Norway and..."

"Ring..." He whispered.

"...he wouldn't leave, I was scared and I felt threatened so I hit him with my lamp..."

"Good girl."

"...I tried to run away but he was blocking the stairs and wouldn't let me go..."

"That little shit..."

"...he picked me up and I thought he was going to kidnap me and take me away to that mansion of his..."

"...Bella, wait, stop!" I stopped talking and he got close to my face. "Tell me where he lives."

"Why? You're not going to go anywhere near him, Jake, please." Now I was gripping his arms.

"Tell me where that parasite lives, Bella!"

"No! You could get hurt!" I was nauseated just thinking of the two of them being in the same room together and what would happen. "He won't hurt me, but he can hurt you! You could get killed,Jacob!"

"Please, Bella. I have to do something about this." He held my cheek with his hand and traced my lips with his thumb. "I will not let that bloodsucker touch you again." His eyes glistened.

"He hasn't been back, Jake. He's not coming back."

"I won't let him come back."

"I don't want him to, Jake. I just want it to be us. Nobody but us."

"You have me. All of me. Forever." He breathed. "Bells..." I felt his chiseled arms wrap around me and squeeze me tight. He growled lowly. "I'm made to protect you. I will find that leech and I will make him wish he never existed."

Just then, there was a howl from outside and Jacob's eyes narrowed and his hands gripped me tighter. He knew what that howl meant, somehow. He knew and it was scaring the crap out of me.

"What? What is it Jacob, what's going on?"

"There's a vampire."