This will be the last chapter for the week. I will not be updating on weekends from now on. Only Monday through Friday. I want to be able to do the story justice, and give all of my readers good chapters, not rushed ones. I know many of you have been waiting for this chapter, so I'm making it the final one for this week.
Again, I own nothing.
Jacob carried Bella into the house and up the stairs to their bedroom. Silently, he set her down and walked into the bathroom, turning on the water, and adjusting the temperature. She might be the most beautiful woman in the world, but she was covered in blood. Sam's blood to be exact, and Jacob couldn't handle the smell of another man, let alone another wolf, all over her body. Not only that, but he had been out on the woods for six days and he realized he probably smelled as bad as fucking skunk. Quickly he grabbed a toothbrush, scouring his mouth until he was positive she wouldn't pass out from smell of his breath. He walked back into the bedroom, to find she'd already removed her blood stained clothes. Jacob pulled off his jeans, and taking Bella by the hand, guided her into the shower.
Neither one spoke as they washed away the dirt clinging to their bodies. It was a sensuous dance, hot water cascading down their backs, soapy hands sliding all over each others skin, his fingers pulling the shampoo through her strands of long, dark hair. Jacob admired the graceful curve of her neck as she leaned back under the spray, eyes closed, back arched, warm rivulets of water streaming down her breasts. He pulled her close to him, one hand splayed on the small of her back, the other cupping her chin. Gazing deeply in her eyes, Jacob whispered "I love you" before pressing his lips to hers. He kissed her softly, so happy to hold her in his arms again. He thought he had loved her before. Just a week ago, he believed he loved her enough for two lifetimes. Now he realized that was but a mere shadow of the affection in his heart. This, the imprint, it magnified his love until it was all consuming.
As the last soapy bubbles washed down the drain, he turned off the water, and wrapped her in a towel. Jacob ran his big hands over her body, passing over each curve, drying the water from her skin, warming her with his natural heat. Gently, he pulled the brush through her hair, carefully working through the tangles, all the while dropping light kisses along the column of her neck, the dip of her shoulders. When he was finished, Bella turned to him, resting a tiny hand against his cheek. Closing his eyes, he leaned into her touch, reveling in the simplicity of just being near her.
Her words were no louder than a whisper, fitting the quiet truth of the way she felt right now. "I missed you". Bella leaned into him, resting her small frame against the larger, harder one of the man before her. Jacob's arms wound tightly around her, his head resting on the top of hers. He cloaked her with his body, covering her in love. "I missed you too, Bells. So much".
The wolf resting inside of him was content. Jacob again lifted her, carrying Bella to their bed. He had waited so long for this. For days, she was all he could think of. Her love all that sustained him on that cold, isolated mountain. Again, a thousand moments, so many emotions flashed through his mind. There was nothing, nothing he wouldn't do for her, nothing he wouldn't give her. All he asked in return was Bella's devotion. The look of admiration and respect shining from her eyes told him he had it. There was no need to even ask.
Gently, Jacob laid her in the center of the bed. Languidly, he crawled up her body, his warm, smooth skin brushing against her, sending shivers down his spine. He paused at the swell of her breasts, kissing them softly at first, then encircling the nipple with his tongue. Pulling it into his mouth, nibbling and sucking. He left a trail of hot, open mouthed kisses between the valley of her breasts, nipping at her collarbone, running his nose along the side of her neck. He nibbled on her earlobe, kissed her along her jaw, until finally moving his lips against hers.
Bella could feel every inch of Jacob's hard length between her thighs, brushing and sliding against her wet folds. He ran his hands along her arms, stretching them above her head, resting his chest against hers. The power of his touch was making her feel alive with desire. Each movement was the most exquisite torture. Ever so slowly, he kissed his way back down her body, rough fingertips brushing along the curve of her sides. She moaned in ecstasy when his hands gripped her ass, pulling her to his hungry mouth, bringing her to the edge with tongue, grazing his teeth on her clit.
Jacob was worshiping her body, lost in her eyes when he guided himself into her, joining their two bodies together in love and lust. Bella's hips pushed against his, and he rocked into her, harder, faster, feeding their hunger for each other. Her back arched and cries of passion fell from her lips as he thrusted, deeper and deeper with every stroke. He rested his head next to hers, wrapping his arms around her back, holding her in a warm embrace as they made love. Jacob could feel the connection that flowed between them, their hearts beating as one. The softness of her body, sliding beneath him, her scent surrounded him, igniting his senses. The rest of the world fell away. Nothing mattered to him but her. Tears slid down his cheeks as the intensity of the moment flooded his soul. Releasing her, Jacob lifted himself up onto his arms above her. "Bella", he whispered. "Baby, look at me. Look into my eyes".
Long lashes fluttered as she gazed up at him, his eyes melting into her. Like a rushing river, emotion flooded over her body. Wet tears fell softly down her face as Jacob spoke what she had waited to hear. "I will love only you for the rest of my life". The tie that bound them together pulled and strengthened. She reached a hand out and rested her palm against his cheek as she repeated the words back to him. "and I will love only you for the rest of my life".
Jacob sat back on his knees, pulling her to his chest, never once breaking their connection. Bella's legs wound around his waist, and his hands firmly gripped her hips, guiding her movements. Jacob cast his eyes down, watching as he slid in and out of her, making them one. Every stroke of her body fueled his desire. The wolf awakening inside of him. Moving a hand to her back, and one to her neck, Jacob cradled her closely to his chest. All the while whispering words of love and devotion into her ear. "I love you so much, Bells. You are all that is rare and precious to me. I promise, baby, I'll never leave you alone again".
Jacob rocked into her, harder and faster than he ever had before. Her muscles were clamping down on him as her climax built. The claiming ritual was fulfilling itself, binding their souls tightly together. He could feel the teeth in his mouth changing, sharpening into the wolf's. Bella reached up, pushing away the curtain of dark hair from her neck, tilting her head, exposing her shoulder to him in submission. Jacob trailed kisses along collarbone, the urge to sink into her flesh overtaking him. He opened his mouth over her shoulder, biting down hard as she screamed and fell apart around him. In an instant, like a flash of light, her joy became his joy, her sorrow became his sorrow. Their souls were sewn together, bound in life and in death. No longer would there be one without the other. He started releasing inside her hard, filling her small body. When he was satisfied, Jacob pulled his mouth from her shoulder, licked the wound, and gazed in awe as it began to heal.
Panting heavily, they fell backwards on the bed, the last waves of euphoria washing over them, both left reeling from the intensity of the marking.
It had been three days since Jacob came home. Three luxurious days in which they did nothing but eat, sleep and make love. Neither answered their phones. Anybody important knew not to call. Embry handled everything at the garage, knowing Jake wouldn't surface until the wolf in him was satisfied. Bella called in sick to work, and Kim covered for her, collaborating her cover story of a terrible stomach flu. She could care less if she had a job. The only thing in the world she needed was laying in bed next her. A bed they had barely left since climbing into it late Sunday afternoon. When they did leave it, neither one left each other's side for more than a few minutes.
They passed their time talking, laughing, discussing details of their upcoming wedding. Bella watched old re-runs of of I Love Lucy, while Jake watched her. She made him mountains of food, feeding his enormous appetite. They were living in bubble of perfect happiness. One in which the outside world could not intrude.
The late morning sun was filtering through the windows as they laid quietly together, their bodies tangled, arms and legs intertwined until it was hard to know where one person stopped and the other began. Jacob gazed at her lovingly, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth, while stroking the silken strands of her dark tresses.
Leaning forward, Bella dropped a light kiss on his lips, her heart full and happy. She let out a contented sigh and thought to herself that this was how life was supposed to be. Comfortable, warm, full of love. It was all she had ever hoped for, dreamed of and desired. Remembering all of the mornings in college when she woke, her pillow wet with tears, she knew it was all worth it in the end. Which reminded her, she wanted to ask him about her dream. Was it possible Maddie was right? She was chewing on her lower lip, not realizing it until Jacob interrupted her thoughts. His deep voice tender, and full of concern. "Baby, what is it", he purred. "You look like something is bothering you".
She shook her head. "Oh, no, just thinking. I had the strangest dream while you were away".
He pulled her closer, ready to listen to her tale. Bella snuggled down in the crook of his arm, resting her head against his chest, her fingers tracing the outlines of his muscles. "It's going to sound crazy, but it was so real, Jake. I hadn't been sleeping well without you in our bed, and when I did sleep, it was so fitful. On the fifth morning you were gone, I woke up and sat straight up in bed. I'd had a dream about you, this incredible dream, it was so real, I was actually surprised to find myself home in our room".
Jacob listened with wide eyes as she described the exact details of the clearing. She told him of the snow that fell all around her, the sound of the stream that flowed nearby, the way the birds would sing to each other in the trees. She hesitated slightly before telling him the rest, feeling a little crazy for starting to buy into Maddie's wild idea. Astral projection, indeed. "I saw you there, sitting on the softest furs, between the spokes of the medicine wheel. You were praying quietly, asking for guidance. You looked so tired, and I wanted to go to you, but when I tried, I couldn't get close. My feet were moving, but it was like I was walking in place. You must have heard something, because you seemed to startle, and when you opened your eyes-"
"I said your name-", Jacob interrupted her, amazed by what she was telling him.
Surprise washed over her features, as she completed his sentence. "and then you threw back your head and howled! Jacob, how did you know"?
He shook his head in shock and disbelief. "Bella, I saw you. Your dream... you just described the very spot I was in. Everything. All of it. This is crazy".
She blew about a breath and muttered mutinously. "Maddie is going to be so smug. I can already hear her saying 'I told you so'."
Jacob chuckled. "Why's that"?
Bella rolled her eyes. I told her about my dream, and she started babbling on about dreams and imprinting, telling me I really was with you on that mountain. Rosalie came in took her side, talking about astral projection, and I just scoffed at the two of them. I don't know why it was so hard to believe. I mean, if vampires and werewolves exist, I suppose it's not too far fetched".
"No, I suppose not", he conceded. "I mean, I would have sworn you were there. I was so tired, not to mention delusional from hunger", Bella laughed good naturedly at him. Jacob was always hungry. "Hey, it's not funny, woman. I was starving"!
"Uh huh, go on", she said, trying and failing to stifle her giggles.
Smiling, he cleared his throat. "as I was saying, I was a little delusional, but that day, I could feel you all around me. Even the air carried your scent. When I opened my eyes, you were there, then I blinked and you were gone. At the time, I thought it was all just an illusion. But now, after completing the imprint..." Jacob lightly ran his fingers over the invisible spot in which he had marked her, and Bella felt shivers run down her spine. When he touched her there, it caused a sensation like electricity running through her body. He too, could feel tingles up and down his body, causing goosebumps to raise on his flesh. Breathing deeply continued, "after marking you, it's almost like I can feel everything you do. Every joy, every pain and sorrow..." , leaning closely he whispered seductively in her ear, "all of your desire. Bells, I feel it all. I've never heard of this before. The other wolves, they instinctively know when something is wrong with their mates, and have trouble being away from them for very long. But this", he placed a warm hand over her heart. "you and I, this is so much more". Jacob leaned forward and captured his lips in his, kissing her sweetly.
They laid in silence together, thinking of nothing other than the warmth of their bodies pressed together. Finally, he turned to her, his voice full of remorse, "Bells, as much as I don't want to, we're going to have to leave this bed today. I have to check in with the pack, and I know you have things to do".
"Mmm, you're right. I know I've got a dozen messages in my voicemail. Charlie's been calling me, and I need to speak to the caterer, and swing by the grocery store".
"Bells, I don't want you going alone. I told you what happened with the Cullen's. It took everything in me not to rip Edward apart". She stared at the look of fury crossing his face over the memory. "But, I need information from them".
"I'm glad you didn't kill him, Jake". His eyebrows raised at the statement, he knew that she didn't harbor any secret feelings of love for the leech, but it still rankled him that Edward Cullen had once again inserted himself into their lives. "I hate him. I really do. The day you moved me out of Charlie's house, I couldn't help but think of Edward, and in my heart I wished him well. But now, I can't stand the sight of him. I hate the way he's made me feel. I'm pissed every time I jump at my own shadow. Looking back at all the crap he put me through, all the shit we have to deal with because of him..., I want them gone. The simple fact is, he's gone batshit crazy, and I don't know if he'll ever be the same". She paused, and took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. This wasn't only about her, but protecting the whole tribe, all of Forks, including her father. Bella squared her shoulders, and looked into Jacob's eyes. There was no hint of regret in her voice as she told him her decision. "If he has to die in order for us to live, then I choose us".
While Bella got ready to head out for the afternoon, Jacob placed a call to Embry, letting him know they would need to get the pack together tonight, and asked him be over at 6:00. After hanging up with Embry, he turned the plan he was forming over in his mind. Jacob, Embry, Quil and Brady as well as Rosalie and Emmett would go to the Cullen's tonight to meet with Carlisle. He wanted Billy, Sue, Charlie and the rest of the imprints at his house. He'd ask Sam and Jared to guard them, leaving the rest of the pack to patrol the reservation. It seemed like the safest way to avoid an ambush.
Bella walked out of the bathroom, ready to leave, and he reached for his keys. "You ready to go"?
She looked at him questioningly, realizing she neglected to tell him she already called Adam. "Jake, that won't be necessary. Adam will be here any minute to escort me around". It was habit, really. She'd gotten so used to him guarding her, and she enjoyed being around him. He was still quiet alot, but slowly he was coming out his shell. Kim had told her that before Adam phased, he was an outgoing person with lots of friends, and very close to his family. This was hard on him. Kim and Jared were worried about how it was affecting him. It wasn't that Adam refused to talk about it, it was just that he said so little. Bella hoped that by having him around so much, especially now that Jacob was back, that he'd loosen up a little.
"Uh, ok...". He was confused. Bella called Adam? "You want to explain that one to me"?
She kissed him on the cheek and laughed. "Ask Embry about it. Then ask him why there's a case of microwave popcorn stored in the garage".
He grinned at her, completely confused. "Baby, what on earth are you talking about"?
"Oh, Adam was pretty protective of me while you were gone. That's all. He volunteered to guard me. It's been good for him, I think. He's starting to talk more, get more comfortable in his new skin. He's a nice kid, Jake".
Jacob nodded in agreement at her observation. "I know he is. Well, ok, if he's going to take you around, that's fine with me. I want to go over and see my dad, and work on the headboard for a few hours". He looked at her suggestively. "I'm getting anxious to test it".
Bella swatted a hand at him, but Jacob just picked her up, smacked her on the butt, then tossed her back on the bed.
"I thought the goal was to leave here, today", she laughed. "Jake, can you believe we're getting married in a few weeks"?
Grinning he told her, "Sixteen days, Bells. Sixteen days until you become Isabella Black. I can't wait". Jacob kissed her on the nose, and pulled her back up. "On your feet woman, we've got lots to do, and the pack is coming over tonight".
"What time?" she asked. It sounded like a good plan and she was ready to celebrate with their friends. "I'll get a bunch of take out. What do you feel like having"?
Jacob thought about it for all of 5 seconds, before solemnly answering "Egg Rolls".
Bella smiled at him again. She was so happy her cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling and laughing they'd done over the last few days. "Ok, Chinese it is. I'd better call it in now. I can't imagine they'd be happy if I waited until an hour before to order 30 pounds of kung pow chicken".
Jacob rubbed his stomach. "Bells, I've been gone for a week. You'd better make it 50".
"Yeah, yeah, wolfboy. Go answer the door. I think Adam's here".
Jacob wandered downstairs to greet Adam as she placed the call. He opened the door and Adam walked inside, slightly unsure. Jacob just chalked it up to Adam not used to being around him. He grinned broadly, and clapped him on the back. "Thanks taking Bella around this afternoon, man. I really appreciate it".
Adam still still a bit uneasy, tried to remain calm. "No problem.
Jacob sensed there was something off, but didn't want to press it. He could be reading to much into it anyway. He didn't know Adam all that well yet. "Bells told me you volunteered to guard her while I was gone. I'm grateful". He pointed a finger to the ceiling. "That woman up there, she's my whole world. You kept her safe, and I won't forget it".
Adam finally seemed to relax a little. "She's a good woman, Jacob. Bella's been nice to me, and I'm glad to help her out".
Just then, Bella skipped down the stairs, greeting Adam, and said goodbye to Jacob. "Don't forget my egg rolls" he called after her. She just stuck her tongue out at him, and drove away, happy to know he'd be there when she came home.
