The next morning, Charlie was up and gone before I could manage to stumble downstairs. He had left a short note on the kitchen table. A quick look in the linen closet showed that his fishing gear was gone. With a sigh, I sipped on a cup of strong coffee. As I sipped, I tried to remember the dream I had the night before. There was something tickling the edge of my brain, but I couldn't figure out what. After eating a bowl of cold cereal, I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I was washing my face and patting it dry when the house phone rang.

I ran downstairs and smashed my toe on edge of the table. Breathlessly, I picked up the phone. "Ow. Ow, damn. Hello?"

A smooth voice. "Bella. Good morning. Sorry to have bothered you so early."

"Carlisle?" I sucked in a gulp of air, "Oh, no. It's no bother."

"We are meant to meet with Jacob in two hours. Will you be attending?"

I instantly replied, "Definitely."

"That's good." Carlisle replied evenly, "We want you aware of our plans and think it best if you were present to hear all discussions first-hand."

"I agree." I nodded my head as I replied, "I'll be there."

"If at all possible, we would like to speak with you personally and without any wolves around. They are quite protective of you, which is certainly understandable, but their dispositions make it difficult. I believe there are those who would wish to talk privately. The rest of us would, of course, vacate the house for a time." He explained politely.

"I…Um, well…I'm not sure if I could…" I stuttered stupidly.

"None would ever dream of forcing you, Bella." Carlisle said after it became understandable that I was at a loss for words. "I was simply asked to pass along the message through Alice and Edward. We will see you soon."

I cleared my throat. "See you later, Carlisle."

"Goodbye, Bella." His smooth voice departed.

I was just hanging up the phone and turning when I noticed Jacob leaning against the doorjamb. I jumped, heart in my throat, as I let out a strangled squeak. Bent over, I put my hand to my heaving chest. "Damnit, Jake. Don't do that to me."

"Sorry." He shortly replied. I frowned, taking in the dirt-smudges and thunderclap scowl. I whispered, "How much did you hear?"

"All of it." He snapped, "Oh, Bella. Come to our fancy house full of coffins. We'd just love to eat you for dinner."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "They don't sleep in coffins."

"How would I know?" He huffed, "Do I look like a bloodsucker to you?"

"Stop calling them that." I snapped, throwing my hands out in a frustrated gesture that he tracked with his dark eyes.

He retorted, "Why would I? That's what they are, Bella."

"Why are you backtracking now?" I wondered angrily, "Weren't you just saying you're going to work with them as allies?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I have to like them." Jacob growled lowly, "I don't know how in the hell you could like them after all they've done to you."

"They're just people, Jacob. We all make mistakes and they're offering help when they don't have to." I sighed heavily, "I'm not having this argument again. We're running in circles with this. I'm tired of it."

"Well, that makes two of us." He grumbled and followed me up the staircase. I glared over my shoulder and rudely asked, "What do you want?"

"Wanted to see you." He snapped back, "I guess not now, huh?"

I blinked in astonishment before huffing, "I wouldn't mind seeing you if you'd stop running your mouth all the time."

He sneered with a disgusting smirk. "Seems you don't mind my mouth at other times, mostly when it's on yours."

I gasped and tried slamming my bedroom door in his face, but he grabbed it with one hand and slammed it shut after stepping into the room. I said, "Get out."

"No." He folded his arms across his thick chest.

I took a step forward and glared. "I'm not playing, Jacob."

"Neither am I." He raised his chin.

I gestured wildly and demanded, "What are we really arguing over right now?"

He rasped, "You're going to do it. Go to them. Speak with him."

"I never told Carlisle that at all." I whispered as I abruptly lost my angry steam.

Jacob growled, "You didn't have to. I heard your hesitation. Saw your face."

"You don't know what you saw. You don't always know my mind." I snapped.

Jacob retorted, "Speaking privately with Cullen. As if that's what he's after."

I flinched. "Stop being crude, Jacob."

"Just being honest." He demanded hotly, "You think all he wants is to talk?"

I broke and screeched, "He wants nothing to do with me, Jacob!"

"Really?" Jacob asked as his let his arms fall his sides. He flatly asked, "Why else would he want to talk privately with you?"

"There is nothing between Edward and me. Isn't that what you want to hear?"

"NO!" He roared as he spun in a circle and yanked at his hair. I hastily backed away until my shoulders hit the window. "I want you to tell me you don't give a fuck what he wants. I want you to tell me you're going to stay at my side and trust me. I want you to choose me over Edward Fucking Cullen."

Jacob threw the bedroom door open and bounded down the stairs while growling. His bare back trembled horribly as he went. I heard the front door echo like a shotgun as it slammed shut. Flinching, I let my legs give out as I slid to the floor. With my head in my hands, my mind raced. It took a long time before my jumbled thoughts focused enough to remember the curious dream. It wasn't really a dream, but rather a memory from the night of Jacob and Sam's fight. The word. The word that didn't fit into Sam's explanations. Imprint. Imprint. Imprint.

I sat and stared blankly at my bedroom walls. Eventually, I stood on wobbly legs. I dressed blindly in fresh clothes and grabbed my truck keys. It wasn't until I had locked the front door and was standing in the driveway that I realized I had no idea where the meeting was meant to take place. Even if it were to take place in the same clearing as before, I didn't know how to get there. I blinked down at the keys in my hand. Great, Bella. Just great.

Jacob's bare feet crunched on gravel as he came to my side and snatched the keys out of my hand. He jumped into the truck, cranking the engine loudly. Slowly, I climbed into the passenger seat. He was reversing almost before I could close the truck door. I stared out the window silently as Jacob sped down the familiar roads. I knew that he would know what Sam had meant that night, but I wasn't sure which way would be best to broach the topic. Certainly, not when we were at odds with each other over the Cullens. My mind was still turning over possibilities as Jacob drove in thick silence.

Only once he slowed the truck and pulled onto a narrowed road did I realize we were heading to the Cullens' house. Jacob was forced to drive the truck much slower on the loopy, narrowed road. Twice, I saw glimpses of large wolves within the trees. They were running alongside the truck, making no noise and disappearing within seconds. Jacob slowed to a stop well away from the towering house. He muttered, "Jesus. Over the top much?"

Without a word, I unbuckled my seat and climbed from the truck. As I walked around the edge of the hood to meet Jacob, I saw them. One by one, the Cullens came out onto their large patio. Carlisle and Esme were the first to emerge. They stood side-by-side. I was distracted by two big wolves that trotted out from behind the coverage of trees. One was iron-grey and the other chocolate-brown. Embry and Quil. They came immediately to my side, although they weren't close enough to touch. Both smelled of rainwater and fresh earth. Both were panting. Low growls were percolating in their big chests.

I glanced back to toward the house as Carlisle said, "Good afternoon."

Jacob tersely said, "Let's get on with it, Cullen."

"Very well." Carlisle said with a small smile. "We believe Victoria has recruited individuals. We have no idea how she has persuaded any to her cause, but it seems she has three or more to do her bidding."

"Then, why haven't we come across another scent?" Jacob asked sharply.

"We are unsure." Carlisle explained carefully, "It is possible that Victoria has yet to bring her accomplices to Forks. What Alice has seen in visions is not much to expand upon, I do admit. However, I beg you to take our warnings to heart. Alice has a gift and it does not lie."

There was a pause in which I caught Jacob staring intensely above the house. I followed his dark gaze. Both Jasper and Emmett perched atop the roof. Neither were bothering to hide themselves. Both looked utterly calm and fierce. I gulped and looked back to Jacob. He let his gaze stay on the two for quite some time before Carlisle said, "They are not to move unless I tell them to do so."

Jacob's stare met the kind golden eyes of Carlisle Cullen. There was another tense pause before Jacob said, "What exactly has the little leech see-"

I elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. Wincing, I rubbed fitfully at my arm. Jacob gave me a look of incredulity before snapping, "What has she seen?"

Carlisle opened his mouth, but Jacob cut him off quite rudely by demanding, "No. From her. I want to hear it directly from the little one."

The glass door opened slowly. Alice came out followed closely by Edward. Neither spoke at first and I tried desperately to ignore his piercing stare. Alice kept her eyes firmly on Jacob as she said, "There is a blonde male. He seems to be a lover to Victoria, but she is only using him to further her purpose. This vampire finds Bella in the majority of my visions. More than once, he loses control and bites her before carrying her to Victoria in a panic. A few times, he attempts to kidnap her and we are in close pursuit. Usually, those are the visions in which Victoria races to his side and kills Bella before we can intervene."

There was an incredibly long silence. I glanced at Jacob only to find his face contorted in rage. His fingers were fisted and his shoulders trembled. The wolves on either side of us were alternating between growling and whimpering. Reaching out, my fingers touched Jacob's fist. I whispered, "It's okay. Just breathe."

He glanced at me and muttered, "Do you know what blonde male they could be talking about, Bella?"

"No." I whispered and shook my head.

"Your visions are absolute?" He gritted out from between his teeth as his head whipped around to glare at Alice. I watched the thick cords in his neck ripple beneath russet skin. Alice said, "Not at all. They can and have changed depending on people's actions and reactions."

Jacob's tense body remained so, but I could see his expression falling thoughtful. He demanded suddenly, "Has anything changed since I took over the pack?"

"Yes." She replied promptly, "Many of my visions show only the male successfully managing to get to Bella now. None of the possibilities include Victoria touching her while in Forks anymore."

"While in Forks." Jacob echoed fiercely, "What does that mean?"

"A new vision occurred early this morning." She explained, "It showed us working alongside you and your pack. You killed Victoria just south of your boarder, but it was a diversion tactic which resulted in the male kidnapping Bella while myself, Esme, and Carlisle were incapacitated. We later tracked them to Settle. Bella had been turned. She was a Newborn."

"Newborn?" Jacob growled, "A leech? That means leech, right?"

I inhaled shakily and crossed my arms over my stomach. Alice had answered in the affirmative, but Jacob's dark gaze was on me. He seemed as if he were waiting for me to confirm, so I nodded my head. "Yeah. That's what that means."

Jacob swore heavily. I stared blankly ahead as Embry and Quil let out piercing snarls that had me jolting. Jacob's arm lashed out, catching my elbow before I could fully register that I had stumbled.

"Alright." He spit out, "What's your brilliant plan?"

There was a pause before Carlisle said, "It's detrimental that Bella remain guarded at all times. In this, we must trust and work together, Jacob."

"I agree. We can take shifts. I want one of mine on her twenty-four-seven."

Carlisle explained politely, "We do not tire, Jacob. We do not eat or sleep. We require no rest. This is an advantage to you. Allow us the same treaty set forth as before. With it, I can station all of the members of my family strategically. We can end this quickly and without tragedy."

"Same rules. Same territories. Same treaty. One alteration." Jacob replied tersely, "A wolf will be on Bella at all times no matter where she goes. School, work, a store or a house. None will come anywhere near your home unless you've broken the treaty, a red-eyed leech runs this way, or Bella decides to come here herself. That's my deal, Cullen. Take it or leave."

"Wonderful." Carlisle replied, "I would like to say that we work better in pairs. Jasper and Emmett, if you could step down here for a moment, please?"
Within the blink of an eye, the two men were standing on the porch. Jacob eyed them spitefully. Carlisle pointed to Jasper and said, "This is my son, Jasper. He is very familiar with battles and particularly Newborn vampires."

He gestured to Emmett and said, "This is my son, Emmett. He is the closest to your size and fighting style. We thought these two would do best working alongside the territory boarders."

"Yeah. We'll see about that." Jacob sighed before saying, "They can take the north boarder at night. The redhead slipped through the mountains many times."

"Yes. Jasper thought similarly as well." Carlisle evenly said, "My wife and I, along with Rosalie, our daughter, would be willing to monitor the inner portions of town at any time that is suitable to you. Late night and early morning seem to be Victoria's preferred time of travel."

There was a pause before Jacob nodded curtly. Carlisle said, "As for Bella's house, we believe two of our own should guard her until the threat is diminished. Alice and Edward-"

I winced just as Jacob's lips peeled back and he let out a deep-throated snarl. Embry and Quil stood up, hackles raised and muzzles snapping.

"She isn't property, Jacob." Edward spoke silkily. Carlisle put out a cautioning hand, which rested upon Edward's shoulder. "The way you act, one would think she were nothing more than a favored toy to you."

"Go to hell." Jacob snapped back, "And stop talking about her like she isn't standing right here. If I say or do something to piss her off, Bells will let me know."

"I don't see how she could possibly get a word in edgewise with all the vulgar nonsense you're constantly shouting about." Edward coolly replied.

Jacob growled, "Your opinion isn't needed, asshole."

"You're only proving my point." Edward pointed out dangerously.

Jacob sarcastically replied, "We've got bigger issues to deal with than your whining bullshit. Be quiet while I talk to Daddy Vamp over here."

My jaw dropped. Jacob glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. I narrowed my gaze. He smirked.

"Gentlemen, please. We solve nothing by bickering." Carlisle spoke up, "Edward and Alice have strong gifts. Edward is telepathic and that is an incredible advantage right now, Jacob. That is why we believe he should guard Bella. She is the target and he is capable of hearing thoughts miles before an individual would reach her. You can see the usefulness of such a thing, yes?"

"Hear thoughts…" Jacob echoed quietly.

He cut a glance at me and asked, "Bells?"

"It's true." I mumbled, clutching my stomach tighter.

Jacob muttered, "Of course it is. Damnit. Okay. Fine. Pixie and Wonder-Hair guard Bella, too. They'll have to deal with a wolf. It'll be Quil or me most days."

"That sounds reasonable." Carlisle replied, "As far as schooling, Edward and Alice have been enrolled. During week days, she will be secure. The two will guard her house after hours as well. This will allow you and yours a more flexible schedule."

"Great." He muttered, "Start the patrols tonight. I'll talk to my guys. You'd do best to remember to stay on your side. No accidental slip ups because I can promise you, Cullen, if any of you cross our boarder you won't make it back to the other side in one piece. Depending on who you meet, you might not make it back out at all."

"Understood." Carlisle quietly said. There was a pause in which many pairs of golden eyes glanced my way. Jacob asked, "Ready to go, Bells?"

I looked at his taut jaw, trembling shoulders, and worried eyes. I hesitated, but the look in his eyes had me nodding. I wordlessly held out my hand with my palm upright. Frowning, Jacob dropped the keys into my palm. Spinning on my heel, I made my way to my truck. Climbing into the driver's seat, I cranked the engine.

Jacob said, "Guess this means I'm walking home."

I sighed, "Get in the truck, you jerk."

Smirking, Jacob hopped into the passenger seat and slammed the door. I watched Embry and Quil dart into the thick coverage of trees before reversing and making my way to the highway. We drove in silence for a time before I said, "I can't keep doing this, Jacob. I can't handle the whip lash."

"What are you talking about, Bells?" He asked, perplexed.

I mumbled, "The mood swings. The times when you suddenly decide you want to be mean and then switch back to acting normal again."

Jacob slowly said, "I'm irritated, sure, but I thought…Hell, I thought I stayed kind of calm with the Cullens. What do you want me to say, Bella? I'd rather them disappear. Instead, I'm trying to do what you want me to do. I'm trying to work alongside them."

"I don't expect you to be nice to the Cullens." I sighed, "I don't expect you to agree with everything I say, either, but I won't deal with you purposely picking fights with me, Jake. I'm not game to do that."

"Are you talking about this morning?" He sighed, "Look. I shouldn't have lost my temper. I'm sorry."

"Jacob," I snapped, "I don't give a crap about a temper. I have one as well, so that would make me pretty hypocritical, don't you think?"

"What is it, then?" He asked just as snappishly.

We pulled into my driveway and I slowly shut the engine off. There was dread building in my stomach as I glanced at him. The cab was warm and I could easily smell his crispy, spicy scent. I whispered, "The jealousy."

Jacob's face was blank as he looked away from me quickly. I could see that he was grinding his teeth together. "I can't help it, Bella."

"It's too much." I quietly said. "There's no need for it."

"Isn't there?" He spoke just as quietly. "Isn't there every need for it? Sometimes…"

There was a pause. I watched his neck move as he swallowed. Jacob slowly said, "Sometimes, I feel like if I don't do something, then you're going to float away. Float right back in time and not be…my Bells anymore."

I sighed, "I'm still Bells. Whether the Cullens are here or not, I'm still me."

"Maybe." He hedged as he looked out at the forest. "But you aren't mine. That's what bothers me and that's what you don't want me to ever say out loud, but I've done it now. You keep saying you can't do this, but neither can I, Bella."

Jacob faced me with eyes full of burning dark chocolate. He whispered, "You go back to school tomorrow. No more spring break. They'll be there. Right next to you. Every day, all day until you graduate. What's to say he doesn't speak to you? What's to say you don't end up sitting together at lunch or walking to class together? What's to say…you don't forgive him and date the son of a bitch again?"

Blinking rapidly, I fumbled with the door and rolled down the window. I took several deep breaths. The last one came out quite shaky as I said, "He wants nothing to do with me. I've told you so before. Edward and his family left for a better life. They were bored. He was bored. With me."

"He's a fucking dumbass." Jacob replied flatly.

I flinched and we fell into silence. Eventually he said, "That's the only thing."

"What?" I croaked, glancing at his side profile.

Jacob murmured, "That's the only thing that keeps you from going to him. The fact that he got bored. I really don't have a snowball's chance in hell, do I?"

With that, he opened the truck door and slid from the seat. Jacob gently shut the door and began walking away. The soft thump of the door sent my heart thundering far more than a slam would have. Jacob was barefoot and shirtless, as was his usual attire, as he headed for the edge of Charlie's property. For some odd reason, I noticed the way his feet sunk into the muddy lawn. He left behind very wide and long prints. And I was terrified by the thought of those prints remaining while he didn't.

Stumbling from the truck, I took off at a jog. I gasped, "Jake."

He didn't turn around, but hesitated. He cast one look over his shoulder before nimbly climbing over a fallen log and disappearing behind thick foliage. I cried out, "Jacob! Jacob Black!"

Pushing at leaves, I bashed my knee on the very same log Jacob had so easily climbed over. Huffing in frustration, I rubbed at my kneecap as I squinted into the gloomy darkness. Logically, I knew just a few steps behind me was the edge of Charlie's property and just beyond that was a flat, clear expanse of lawn that would bring me to my house. And yet I was standing inside of a lush, dark canopy of green. It was like I had stepped into an entirely different world. The trees were impossibly thick and ridiculously tall. The forest floor was littered with debris. As I took a cautious step forward, I eyed a pile of vividly green boulders that were covered in algae. I huffed, "Jacob. Jake, come on."

I took another step, scanning the area. Just trees. I called out, "Jake! Please, come back. We can talk. Please, don't leave me out here like this."

There was the snap of a twig. I whirled around. My heart was pounding in my chest as I took in the sight. He was leaning against a tree trunk with his thick arms crossed over his naked chest. His heavy brows were lowered, full lips pressed thin, and mocha eyes incredibly dark. Jacob's deep, russet skin was gleaming as if he were sweating. I was surprised he didn't set the forest on fire by will alone.

He said, "I wouldn't have abandoned you out here. I'm not him."

We stared at each other for a moment. I slowly said, "I can't tell you I won't speak with him because I might. I can't tell you I hate him because I don't. What I can tell you is that I won't lie to you, Jake. I won't ever lie to you. I won't ever stop being your friend."

Jacob snorted, curiously shining eyes rolling upward as the muscles in his jaw twitched. He grumbled, "Your 'let's be friends' speech sucks hard, Bella."

I sighed, "That isn't what I said. Those words never left my mouth."

He grumbled, "It's what you mean, though, isn't it?"

"I always want to be your friend, Jake." I replied softly.

He insisted, "You know as well as I do, we've never been just friends, Bells."

"What are you getting at, Jacob?" I asked in exasperation, "Why point out what we both already know?"

He pointed at me and gestured angrily. "That's the thing. You're so frustrating because you already know everything."

I erupted, "Know what? That I care about you? That nobody has ever understood me the way you do? That you're a werewolf and they're vampires and I'm caught in the middle?"

He hesitated before whispering, "Just one answer, Bella. A truthfully answer. No vague replies. No changing the subject. No getting mad and stomping away."

I muttered, "Fine. What is it?"

There was a pause that felt like infinity. He stared at me, hands and shoulders twitching as I stared back at him. He swallowed heavily and opened his mouth. He snapped his jaw shut as his eyebrows slammed down over his forehead. Jacob took a deep breath and slowly asked, "Do you love me…?"

My body jolted as if I were electrocuted. The silence between us stretched, a great yawning hole, that threatened to drown us both. In that moment, I knew I could walk away, regardless of what he had said previously. I could deflect. I could offer a lame joke. I could walk forward and hug him, kiss him even, and Jacob would give in to me. I could go on without putting such an answer out into the universe. I could leave Jacob floundering right at the edge of the forest behind my house. I could leave him adrift like a rotten log at sea. As I stood there, contemplating, I realized Jacob would survive losing me.

He would suffer as surely as the moon fell from the sky each morning. Rain and wind would batter him, tearing at his skin and pulling tears from his eyes, but Jacob was too brilliant to remain defeated. He was too bright. Too wholesome. Too strong. Deep down, beyond the monsters and roaring waves on the ocean floor, lie a gentle man with a golden heart. I couldn't let him continue drifting. Not when I could offer my hand and save him from the painful storm.

I walked forward, taking in the hope and fear written across his face as if someone had stamped the emotions onto his forehead with ink. I reached out and slid my arms around his neck. His skin was slick and hot. I whispered, "Yes."

"Yes?" He echoed breathlessly as he looked down. Jacob's arms tightened around my waist and he buried his face into my neck as I whispered to him.

"Yes, Jake. You know I love you, don't you?"

He choked on a chuckle. "Yeah, but I wasn't sure if you realized it yourself."

I murmured, "It took a while, but I realized it eventually."

"But…?" He questioned dryly.

I hedged, "I'm still…messed up."

Jacob thoughtfully said, "Can I ask one more question?"

"You're pushing your luck and my patience." I huffed lowly.

"Okay. Alright. I did say just one. Sorry." He replied hastily.

"Ugh." I groaned, "One more question and that's it."

There was a pause. "Do you hesitate with me because…you're still in love with him?"
I faltered, pressing my lips together. More than once I was distracted as Jacob's lips and breath caressed my neck. I cleared my throat and croaked, "No."

"Okay." He murmured and pressed an open-mouth kiss to my collarbone. I gasped and he chuckled, cruising his lips along my throat. "Tilt this way, honey."

I did as he ordered in a daze. My heart rate was steadily increasing and my eyes felt heavy. I desperately wanted his lips on mine, but my tongue felt thick as if I couldn't speak. My fingers curled around his shoulders. My entire body grew warm quite quickly. Jolts of pleasure shot through me every time I felt the tip of his tongue lap softly at my skin. When he sucked my earlobe into his mouth and nibbled, I let out an embarrassing whimper.

"Jake, I-I can't keep standing up."

"I got you, baby." He whispered against the hollow of my throat. I squeaked in surprised when his long arms hefted me upward. Spinning us around, I found my back pressed against a tree with Jacob's thigh wedged in between mine. His arms secured me in place as he leaned down, pressing his smiling lips to the tip of my nose.

"Do I make you weak in the knees, Bells?"

"Shut up." I muttered as my cheeks flushed red. "Just kiss me."

He hummed under his breath, "Happily."