A/N: I love this chapter so so so much! Enjoy!

Disclaimer:
All recognizable characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I do not make money from this.

Chapter 13: Respect

So I had come to the conclusion that he just didn't want me anymore. I mean, could I expect anything less? Why would he want anything to do with me? I mean, I wasn't anything like the girl he knew all those years ago. I was a loud mouth, fiery, feminist. Not that those aren't desirable qualities, but I'm a completely different person. If anything, seeing me again was probably a disappointment. And talking to me again was probably a fucking tragedy. The girl he knew really was dead. And in her place stood someone stronger. If he didn't want me, well then that made my life a whole lot easier. I could go back to San Francisco and back to my life as usual. No sweat off my back, I thought as I took a big ass bite of non-dairy ice cream. Easier on the heart. Well not really. You know what I mean.

Charlie was working the late Saturday night shift and I could watch something other than sports. Miss Congeniality happened to be on tv. Gracie Hart was fucking bad ass. Of course she fell for the tall, dark, and handsome dude. And he put up a fight with her because her personality was fierce as hell. He didn't treat her like some fragile woman. Because she wasn't. She could kick some serious ass and shoot a gun. Damn. She was beautiful too. An amazing personality. The ideal woman in my opinion. She could be feminine while also being a badass. God this movie was pure gold.

Another huge bite of ice cream.

My phone starting buzzing on the couch.

I wiped off my hand on the cushion and answered. I didn't recognize the number.

"Mhello?" I said through the mouthful of ice cream.

"What the fuck? Do you have a dick in your mouth or something?" Leah said back.

I almost choked on my ice cream I was laughing so hard. I swallowed the cold bite down. "No, bitch. I'm eating ice cream. What's up?"

"Oh ok good. I was ready to let you go back to it. But, I called because I wanted to see how you were holding up?"

Turns out the whole pack, well the wolves, heard every word Jacob and I said to each other the night before. After that, Jacob left. He abandoned his beer and hauled ass. Not that I blamed him. I really had no intention to see him this month if I could help it. But, of course now we were eternally bound so that's great. Two eternally bound people who hate each other. Just swell.

"Um," I sighed. "Fine. I guess. I don't know. I just want to go back to San Francisco," I grumbled and stabbed at the ice cream with my spoon.

"Hey, none of that. We talked about this. Being a dick is his default setting. He's actually been quite pleasant at the garage. Well, as pleasant as a hormonal, toddler, wolf-man could be."

I giggled. "Well that's good news. He still hates me so that's great."

She sighed. "I don't know if he hates you. Maybe just a little bitter that you never reached out to him all these years."

"A little bitter," I echoed her incredulously. "He's pissed off. I may as well be dead to him. He wants nothing to do with me or the imprint. It's probably for the better."

"Bella, don't be negative. He's happier. He's getting better. But, his human side is an ass and won't let it happen. I think he still wants you. I saw those looks he was giving you the whole night." I could just see her smirk.

I sat up straighter. "Looks? What looks?"

She laughed. "Bitch, he watched the whole ordeal with Seth. He actually looked pissed as hell when Seth charged at you. But then he saw you could actually fight back and he actually started laughing. Laughing. I haven't seen him laugh in years, dude. Years," she started giggling. "It was fucking hilarious watching you kick the ass of someone who is twice your size," she snickered. "And then, basically for the rest of night he couldn't take his eyes off of you. You just never noticed. I wouldn't have encouraged you to talk to him if he wasn't giving you the time of day. Bella, he wants you. I could see it. He's just being an ass. I'm telling you, default setting."

I couldn't fight the hope that was swelling in my chest. It was like a childhood crush all over again. There was a chance and I couldn't help but feel giddy. I shoved that feeling down real quick. He was a fucking predator. I had to keep reminding myself of that. God this situation was shitty. I was throwing myself to the most dangerous wolf in the fucking world. And for what?

"Leah," I groaned. "I can't get my hopes up. This could end badly. Very badly."

"Maybe. But there's also a chance this could end amazing. Just you wait. You both are gonna be fucking like rabbits in no time. The sexual tension is killing me."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Leah. That's so sick," I giggled. "There is no sexual tension. I'm telling you, he doesn't want anything to do with me. Just the way he looks at me makes me want to curl up and die."

"Default setting," she said again.

"Maybe so. But, it doesn't matter. I'm not going to see him anymore."

She sighed loudly. "Bella Swan. You are insufferable. Look, I wouldn't encourage you if I didn't think there was a chance. He's in there somewhere. You just have to force it out."

"Yeah, but at what cost? I just consumed half a carton of ice cream. He's fucking with my head and eating habits."

She laughed. "Bella, you are a strong, independent bitch. Don't let some little moody boy ruin that for you. If he still continues to be a little dick then you have every right to leave. At that point he has no one to blame but himself. But he could come around. And then boom, rabbit fucking."

I shook my head. "You're sick, Leah. I'm not promising anything."

"Fine. I could live with that. Just don't give up yet. Alright?"

I sighed deeply. I was going insane. "Alright, fine."

"Good. Okay, you eat your ice cream and rest up. You have a hell of week ahead of you," she said ominously.

I narrowed my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Goodnight, Bella," she sung and hung up.

Well this is just great.

I shoved myself up from the couch. I headed to the kitchen to put my ice cream back in the freezer. I tossed the spoon in the sink.

I opened the fridge and pulled out the dinner I cooked earlier. Garlic crusted chicken, baked potatoes, and broccoli. I put a double serving of each on a huge ass plate and stuck it in the microwave.

Once it was heated I headed to the backdoor and pulled it open. I stepped out into the chilly night. I set the plate on the steps and sat down next to it. I wrapped my sweatshirt closer to my body and waited.

Like clockwork, Jacob's wolf came loping slowly out of the thick trees across from me. I grinned at him. I felt my entire body release the tension I had no idea I had.

"Hey, Jake," I said quietly.

He slowly walked up to me and, like always, he bowed his head and settled onto his belly in the grass.

He wagged his tail as he watched me approach with the huge plate of warm food. He was always hungry.

I placed it down in front of him. He sniffed at it and wagged his tail faster. He went straight for the chicken. He delicately picked up a whole chicken breast and chomped down on it. He ate the double scoop of broccoli next. He didn't always want the veggies, but I told him to eat them and so he would. He chewed through both of the potatoes and saved the second chicken breast for last. He loved meat the most. Figures.

He slowly licked the plate clean and looked up at me. I was smirking at him. I loved watching him eat. His wolf eating was actually quite cute. He was so human it was funny to watch. He didn't eat like a wild animal. Of course he didn't use utensils. But, he still ate slowly and savored each bite like a human.

He slowly stood and moved to sit right in front of me. His warm lupine eyes shimmered with love and adoration. I smiled at him and ran my fingers through his soft fur.

"Did you like it?" I asked.

He bowed his head and pressed his forehead to mine.

I giggled and rubbed his ear. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He placed a warm lick on my cheek.

I rubbed his neck softly. "I miss you, Jake. Maybe one day your human will want to eat the food I make him," I said softly. What the fuck? Me wanting to cook for the broken man underneath? That would never happen.

He made a relaxed, grumbling sound in his chest and licked my face again.

I patted his big shoulder. "Alright. I'm gonna go inside now. It's cold. Come back for dinner tomorrow. I'm making lasagna," I grinned and kissed his wet nose.

He closed his eyes as I did so.

He slowly stood and turned to head back into the trees.

/

As much as I didn't want to get so caught up in my shit here, I couldn't help it. Jacob would come for dinner almost every night. He's been showing up since the day his human kicked me out of his garage. He usually pokes his head out of the trees while I'm cooking. I figured if he's going to stick around during dinner time, he could eat too. I waited until Charlie fell asleep on the couch before I fed him. And he always loved everything I made. However, he doesn't like peas. So I stopped serving peas, to Charlie's approval.

Even though I kept fighting it, I had a feeling of hope in my gut. Part of me hoped that if his wolf spends more time with me, the human will begin to trust me. I know it's probably a stretch, there's no harm in trying. At least his wolf is excited to see me. In a way it helps me feel better, especially if the human is a dick. I feel like his wolf apologizes and knows exactly how to make me feel better.

However, the uneasiness I felt about the human remained.

I was able to stay home in my own little bubble until Tuesday night.

I realized the pack's dynamic and bonding time surrounded food and Sue Clearwater was having the pack over for dinner. So this would be interesting. None of the wolves ever said no to a free dinner. So, that's where I went.

I pulled up to the Clearwater house anxious as hell. I hated walking into a house I've never been to before, especially while I was still such a newbie. I had only been to one other gathering as part of the pack so this was intimidating. And I had no clue if he was even inside.

I knocked on the door, but I could already hear the loud ruckus on the inside. So I tentatively twisted the knob and the door opened.

I peeked my head in and it was fucking chaos.

Seth and Embry were wrestling over the tv remote in the living room and shoving the couch into another dimension. Jared, Quil, Leah were crowding the little kitchen with their tall bodies as poor Sue worked to keep the flow organized as they grabbed at the platters of food around her.

I walked further into the house, no clue how to act. The imprints, minus Phoenix, were already seated with their food at the dining table, chattering together as their wolves grabbed their food.

I cleared my throat and all the wolves simultaneously stopped and looked at me.

And a giant fucking group hug ensued.

I was engulfed in heat and skin and just chaotic wolf energy. "Hey, guys" I laughed and I was shoved around from one pair of arms to the next.

I ended up in Leah's arms last. "Glad you could join us, Bella. You're late but I'll let it slide," she smirked and guided me to the kitchen where the guys were already dominating again.

I grinned at her. "I had to make dinner for Charlie," I grumbled.

She feigned shock. "Wow, you still gotta cook for your pops? You'd think you let him fend for himself."

I laughed. "No, or else he'll only eat pizza or burgers."

She rolled her eyes. "Men," she grinned and pushed me into the wild kitchen. I waved at the imprints as I passed and surprisingly they all waved back. Even Rachel.

I pushed past the crowding men to where Sue was frantically stirring several pots and prepping ingredients.

"Hey, Sue," I greeted her softly, ready for an earful that I've gotten from most people since I got here.

She turned to look at me. "Oh Bella," she grinned and pulled me into a quick hug. "Grab your plate," she said and turned back to her stove.

I looked back at the wolves quickly devouring the buffet of food. "You need some help?" I asked her.

She looked taken aback. "You want to help feed these animals?" She looked at me like I had three heads.

"That's a derogatory term, Mom," Leah said from her spot at the table.

"I know it is that's why I used it. None of you wolves can control yourselves around food. At least Bella here offered to help," she scolded, pointing her wooden spoon at her daughter.

"Hey I helped once!" Seth called from the living room.

"Yes and you ate half of the pot of mac and cheese!" Sue shouted back.

I laughed. "I don't mind helping," I shrugged.

"Bless you," Sue patted my arm and led me to the cutting board. "Here, you can chop the tomatoes, garlic, and onions for me please," she said and went back to the stove.

Thank fucking god. My introverted self was about ready to have a heart attack with the amount of noise and energy in the room. At least I could focus on something. And try and ignore the fact that Jacob wasn't here.

I was carefully chopping the onions when someone leaned on the counter next to me. I peeked up to find a very smug looking Quil.

I gave him a weird look. "Yeah?"

"Who knew badass Bella is a Betty Crocker too. I could get used to this," he smirked and plucked a chopped tomato from the board and ate it. "I was afraid you lost your womanly touch, Bella Crocker."

"What did you say me?" I hissed and held the tip of the knife to his throat.

His eyes widened. "I was just joking," he said and winced as he swallowed.

I narrowed my eyes. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm helping Sue cook so she can satisfy your asses. Poor Sue is working her ass off to feed you and this is the attitude you walk into the kitchen with? The least you could do is be thankful. We don't have to cook for you. Is that what you want? Because we could very easily pack up the food right now and shove you out the door. Is that what you want?"

He shook his head.

"Good. Now don't bite the hand that feeds you. Sit down and don't ever fucking call me Bella Crocker again. Got it?"

"Yes, Bella," he squeaked out.

I slowly lowered the knife and glared at him as he quickly shuffled out of the kitchen.

The rowdy house was silent as he walked out of the kitchen. Everyone stared at me wide eyed, mouths agape.

Fuck.

I looked over to the tall, shirtless bodies standing in the open back door, watching me. Paul and Jacob.

No one said anything. No one ate anything. No one fucking moved.

Holy shit.

Then, Jacob swiftly moved into the kitchen.

"Quil. Embry. Patrol. Now." He commanded.

They walked quickly through the house and towards the back door. As Quil passed, Jacob slammed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Say goodnight to Claire. You're running a double shift tonight," he growled lowly and pushed him forward.

Quil nodded, not meeting Jacob's eyes. He quickly dropped a kiss on Claire's head and disappeared out the door.

Jacob watched them leave and turned back to the silent room.

"Seth, chop the vegetables. Don't fucking eat them," he said and came towards me.

My heart lurched at how close he was to me in the small space. He took the knife from my hand and laid it on the cutting board. He then put his warm hand on the small of my back and guided me to sit with the rest of the imprints.

Once I was seated, he moved back into the kitchen. He greeted Sue and placed a kiss on her cheek. He then grabbed a plate and began to pile on food from the various platters and dishes. Still, no one made a sound.

He walked back to the table and placed the plate in front of me. He walked back to the kitchen, grabbed another plate and piled on twice the amount of food as there was on mine. He scooped up a little bit of everything except the vegetables. He took the seat next to me without another glance and began to eat.

And the dinner continued as it did before. Rowdy and playful.

What the fuck just happened?

I peeked up at Leah who sat across from me. She wiggled her eyebrows at me as she took a drink from her cup.

I looked down at my plate. There was way too much food for me, but I started eating anyway.

"Thanks, Alpha," I said quietly. I knew he could hear me.

He sniffed a laugh, but said nothing and continued to eat.

"That was fucking hilarious," Leah said through a mouthful of food. "Quil was shitting his pants."

I couldn't help but laugh with her. "Yeah. He hit a nerve. Sorry, Claire," I said to the six year old sitting between Rachel and Kim.

She shrugged and kept eating. "She's used to it," Rachel smirked at me. "He gets in trouble a lot."

"Yeah, but usually by Mr. Alpha over here, not an imprint," Jared grinned at me. "You got balls, Bella."

"Balls are weak as hell, Jared," I giggled.

To my utter shock, Jacob laughed once. It was a short ass laugh, but he laughed.

I grinned to myself and kept eating.

"Yeah, thank you, Bella," Sue smiled as she finally settled at the table to eat.

"No problem," I said quietly.

And the dinner continued like this. We chatted and bantered while Jacob remained silent. He even got up for a minute to grab him and myself something to drink. I didn't even have to ask. He just knew I was thirsty as hell. He said nothing as he set down a cup of water in front of me and got a beer for himself. I would thank him and he would say nothing. As weird as it was, it worked. I was used to my chatty, vibrant Jacob. But that Jacob wasn't there anymore. I tried not to think about it.

I finally had to push my half empty plate away.

"I'm full," I sighed and patted my food baby. I ate more than I thought I would. He piled so much onto my plate. I hadn't really eaten much today and I was fucking starving when I arrived. Now I was fully satiated and sleepy.

I saw out of the corner of my eye that he eyed my plate but said nothing. I pulled the plate back to me and pushed it over to him.

He looked at me out the corner of his eye, replaced his second empty plate with mine, and began eating.

I grinned as he didn't hesitate to eat my leftovers. "You're welcome, Alpha," I said to him.

I could tell he was fighting back a grin. But, of course he didn't smile. He surprised me again and turned to look at me fully. He hadn't looked at me all night. I held back my intake of breath as he put his face so close to mine. His eyes weren't that hard volcanic rock I expected. They looked like melted chocolate. The eyes of young Jacob. Only for a moment.

"Thank you, Imprint," he said in that rich, low voice, a tiny smile on his lips. He swiftly turned back to his food and began eating again as if nothing happened.

Fuck. I couldn't help but shiver.

I had to keep my fucking cool. He was still an ass.

"Wouldn't kill you to have manners," I mumbled quietly and took a sip of my water.

"I do what I want," he said back, barely speaking loud enough for me to hear.

"I disagree," I said evenly.

"Shocker," he muttered back.

Fucker.

I tried to bite my tongue, but of course that didn't happen. "Alpha isn't always right," I bit back.

"That's what you think," he said.

"I don't think. I know."

"You don't know shit."

The fire was burning in my belly and I couldn't stop it. "I know enough. Just because you're alpha doesn't mean you can't be a decent fucking human."

He stopped eating to look at me.

Oh shit.

And of course the house was silent again.

I looked back at him calmly. He didn't scare me. He wished he did.

"You'd think you know when to shut your mouth."

Oh hell no. The claws were coming out.

I heard Rachel and Sue gasp softly, but they said nothing.

I smiled at his boldness. At this point his piss attitude didn't surprise me. Default setting. "It really gets under your skin that you can't order me around, doesn't it?"

"It gets under my skin that you're continually disrespectful."

"Respect is earned."

"That right?"

He had nothing and he knew it.

I smiled bigger and nodded. "Yep. So tell me, Alpha, do you wish you could order me around? Shut me up? I talk too much for you?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, but said nothing. Smart boy.

"You can do a lot of things, but you don't get to treat me like shit. You want me to cry? Want me to run and hide? Big bad wolf is gonna scare me? That's bullshit. I'm not just gonna sit here and keep my mouth shut. Don't dish it out if you can't take it."

He just continued to glare at me. Fuck he hated me. Once again, my big mouth got me in rough waters.

And, of course, I stared right back.

"Thanks for dinner, Sue," he said after several minutes of silence, his eyes still piercing me through my soul.

He shoved back from the table and broke his gaze to turn and walk straight out the back door.

Holy shit.

Did I just win?

And if I did, what the fuck did I just do?

He hated me. Like full on, loathed.

Leah stared at me wide eyed.

I had the exact same expression.

Well shit.

A/N: Please let me know what you think! I loved writing this chapter so much. I was getting so pumped when Bella started to argue with Jacob lol. She's a feisty one. I think she's giving him the cold hard truth. Did she lie tho?

Also, if you search Haru the Shiba Inu on youtube, that is exactly how I picture Jacob's wolf to eat lol. Look it up its so cute! (Specifically the popcorn video. 10/10 would recommend.)