Wolf Boy

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!

Part Forty-One

Bella heard the alarm beep behind her but it quickly cancelled so she didn't bother to open her eyes. She was just drifting back into blissful sleep when she became aware of someone singing quietly in her ear, and fingers trailing up and down her sides, tickling her skin. She couldn't help the goofy smile that stretched across her face.

"Morning, gorgeous!" A soft kiss was planted on the side of her neck making her draw in a ragged breath. "I love you, Bella Swan." The husky voice continued to sing in an off-key whisper.

Bella opened her eyes and half rolled over to see Jacob lying against her back. His handsome face was merely inches away, and his dark eyes were locked onto hers. His black hair was messy and sticking out at all angles, but it suited him like that, it made him look so sexy. He had a five o'clock shadow across his strong jaw and a big smile that matched her own.

"I love waking up next to you" He mumbled, his lips almost touching hers. "This is the first time in nearly a week."

"Hooray!" Bella replied, giggling.

Charlie had been on a night shift at the station; Colin was doing one of his own as he patrolled with the pack. Connie was the only one in the house during the night-Jacob and Bella had been discreet-but they knew she knew that Jacob had stayed over. Connie was being totally awesome about it, but even she had left for work now. It was just the two of them in the house.

Jacob laughed and finally pressed his soft lips to Bella's. She smiled against his lips and wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him closer to her as he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling on it gently. Bella opened her mouth, praying that she didn't have morning breath, but knowing Jacob wouldn't care even if she did.

Bella lost herself in the bliss of Jacob's kissing, silently giving thanks, as she had done hundreds of times over the past few months, that he loved her as much as she loved him. His hand traced up her stomach as he kissed her deeply, making her toes curl as her body got so excited that she could barely think about anything other than his taste and the feel of his fingertips trailing over her body. Finally, he pulled away and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I could get used to being woken up like that." Bella murmured.

"Good morning, beautiful." Jacob said again. "You know, I'll never get used to how lovely you look in the morning. The messy bed hair really does it for me. So perfect." He teased lightly, gripping her hip and pulling her closer to him again.

Bella smiled, tracing her fingers across his broad shoulders. "You're just full of the compliments today."

Jacob laughed and brushed his nose against hers. "I try." He tugged on the bottom of his t-shirt that she slept in. "I'm running out of t-shirts, honey. You've got to let me keep some."

"Not this one." Bella pouted. "This one is my fave."

"You said that about the last one."

"Whatever, Jake." Bella giggled. "You are not getting it back."

"It looks much better on you anyway." Jacob stroked the side of her face.

The way he was looking at her made Bella's cheeks turn rosy. The soft, tender way he was gazing at her made her heart melt. She thought about how funny it was, how young they were, but she already knew he was the guy, the one, and the look on Jacob's face told her he was thinking the exact same about her.

The alarm went off again and Bella sighed irritably. She traced one finger along Jacob's scratchy jawline, imagining what it would feel like tickling her body. Her whole skin heated up this time and she breathed heavily to try and rein in her desire for him.

Jacob grinned and immediately jumped out of bed, and again Bella was struck by how lucky she was that this boy wanted her. Jacob stretched his long arms above his head, before dropping down next to her again as he caught her ogling his body. His eyebrow rose knowingly as he smirked at her. "I think I can spare another five minutes." He whispered close to her ear.

"For what?" Bella feigned innocence.

Jacob's mouth was back on hers in an instant. "I love you. So much." He whispered against her lips as he deepened the kiss.

The sweet morning he had spent with Bella soon had to be put to the back of Jacob's mind as he set off to meet Riley Biers. It had been a while since their last contact. Since Trent's death Riley was laying low. Victoria was incensed that her protégé had met such an undignified end. She had big plans for Trent and now they had come to naught.

When Jacob arrived at their meeting place, he found Riley already waiting for him. The young vampire looked jittery. His eyes-now losing the bright crimson that had marked him as a bloodthirsty newborn-were taking on a golden hue. Riley was trying to follow the vegetarian diet favoured by the Cullens. He was struggling, but so far hadn't lapsed, even though he was surrounded by temptation on all sides.

"I can't stay long." Riley remarked as soon as Jacob strode into view.

Jacob noted Riley's agitated movements and his suspicions were aroused at once. "What's wrong with you?" He asked sharply.

"There is nothing wrong." Riley's denial didn't ring true. His furtive gaze kept dancing around the clearing, his focus bouncing from one object to another.

Jacob knew when to trust his gut instinct. Riley was hiding something. Jacob decided not to confront him outright. He and his pack had come to rely on Riley's intel on Victoria's movements. He didn't want to accuse him of something when he had nothing but his own sixth sense telling him that something was bothering Riley.

Jacob relaxed his stance and tried to keep his voice sounding as nonchalant as possible. "Do you have any news for us?"

"Victoria is angry at the world. She has limited patience. She curses day and night." Riley's mouth turned down with bitterness as he shook his head. "She's impossible to be around right now. Killing Trent has only increased her thirst for revenge."

Jacob sighed in frustration. He had been hoping for something significant. Time was dragging on. Not knowing when or where the fiendish red head would strike next was wearing them all down. "Is that all you have?"

"I can only do so much. You are lucky I am helping at all." Riley snapped. He dragged his long, white fingers through the thick mop of his brown hair. "You expect too much from me."

"You were the one who offered your help." Jacob reminded Riley sharply, staring him down.

Riley's jaw pulsed with anger; his eyes darted away from Jacob. It was grating on Jacob's nerves that the young vampire couldn't meet his gaze. There was definitely something fishy going on with Riley. His furtive movements spelled trouble. Had Victoria's response to Trent's destruction spooked Riley? Was he now wishing he had never started to spy on Victoria?

Jacob decided to try and coax the truth out of Riley. His kept his face relaxed as well as his posture. "How's the change in diet going?" He asked as a way to show some interest in Riley's welfare.

"Do you mean have I fallen off the wagon?" Riley jeered. He hesitated when he noticed Jacob frown and shook his head. "I've been sticking to it." He muttered grudgingly. "But it's hard."

"It's harder when you're on your own." Jacob conceded, trying his best to be understanding.

Riley's tongue darted out nervously as he licked his lips. "About that…"

"About what?" Jacob felt his stomach churn as Riley rocked on his heels. "If you have something to say, then say it."

Riley licked his lips again, his expression cagey. "I'm not on my own." He admitted.

"You said you'd been avoiding Victoria!" Jacob growled.

"I'm not talking about Victoria." Riley countered angrily.

"Then who?" Jacob demanded.

"I don't need to explain myself to you!" Riley was getting as riled up as Jacob.

"When you are on my territory you do." Jacob reminded him harshly. "Have you joined a coven?"

"No." Riley's face hardened. "You don't know how lonely it gets wandering these woods by yourself."

"Just answer the question. Who are you with?" Jacob demanded again.

Riley's gaze flicked toward a group of trees downwind of both of them. "You can come out now." He called, his voice turning softer.

Jacob's nostrils flared as he immediately tested the air with his sensitive nose. Riley had been devious hiding his companion downwind, and just far enough away that he wouldn't detect him. Jacob tensed, getting ready to defend himself if this turned out to be trap. There was a slight rustling in the trees, followed by a sharp intake of breath. Slowly, Riley's companion emerged into the dappled light of the clearing, revealing themselves to be the last person Jacob had expected.

It was Lily.

A/N-thanks for reading!