Chapter 15: Drag

"You're going to keep driving around, and I'm going to speak while you listen, got it?" Leah said lowly. I nodded my head, letting out a frustrated sigh. Every single time I felt like Grace and I were actually breaking some ground, it was like we moved two steps forward and two steps back. Leah's constant suspicions that I was nothing more than some kind of pervert who was specifically trying to corrupt her little sister's innocence was starting to make me feel guilty, even though I hadn't even done anything.

"Leah, I- "

"- I said I'm speaking. I've heard everything you and all of the pack had to say, now it's your turn to listen."

I stayed silent.

"She is fourteen-years- old. Fourteen. Do you know what I was doing when I was fourteen, Jacob? I had just started dating Sam, I was having fun with my friends, I didn't even know what a real relationship looked like. Fourteen-year-old me thought Sam and I would be together forever. Do you understand what I'm trying to say here?" she described seriously. I shook my head. I really didn't know what her and Sam had to do with Grace and I, especially since the circumstance was so different, so whatever connection she was trying to draw was flying right over my head. She scoffed in irritation.

"The point is, when I was Grace's age, I didn't know shit about shit. And if I didn't back then, then Grace certainly doesn't. She's not like other girls on the rez, Jacob. She's never dated, she's never even had her first kiss, she's never been to a party. She's completely and totally naïve."

I could feel my temper flare at her words, the blatant disrespect for my imprint clawing at me to defend her; to disagree. But I stayed quiet.

"But she's smart, and she's ambitious. She wants to go to college, Jacob. Do you know what her teachers, her coaches, what they've said about her over the years? That she could go to a big school with a full scholarship? That they have programs for girls like her?" Leah asked quietly.

"I would never hold her back from anything she wants to do, Leah. I will support everything she does 100%," I promised sincerely. She laughed bitterly. "It's not about that. Because I believe you, I believe you'll want to see her chase her dreams or whatever, it's what the imprint does," she said slowly.

"But even more than she is smart, Grace is good. She's a good fucking person Jacob. Let's face it, none of us in the pack are going to fucking Harvard, okay? Least of all you or my brother. It's just a fact. She's going to see that, and she's going to feel guilty if she leaves you behind, or worse, you pick up your entire life and follow her while she does everything she wants to do. She will never have a normal college experience, she will never date random boys and make mistakes, she will never get that with you. You are trapping her, whether you realize it or not."

I swallowed thickly at her words. Leah was right, I wasn't like Grace at all- my ambitions were all extremely attainable goals that I had set when I was much younger because I knew I wasn't good at anything in school. I worked hard on cars and bikes not only because I loved it, but because I was good at it. I wouldn't ever be able to participate in scholarly conversations with Grace in the way she'd probably want, I wouldn't ever be great with my words or impressive on paper. I was just Jacob Black from La Push, and that's all I'd ever be.

"You have obligations here. You're the Chief's grandson, you're the true Alpha and everyone knows once Sam steps down, you'll be next in line. You can't just get up and leave. But she can. She still has the opportunity to get up and leave this fucking shithole, to make something out of herself. You can't leave her, and once the imprint really sinks her hooks in her, she won't be able to leave you," she explained. I started to feel the crushing reality of Grace's circumstance. She might feel stuck here, feel trapped since neither one of us could leave the other. My duties to the tribe wouldn't allow for my absence for long, and it was only a matter of time before I had to step up and take over the pack. Emily wanted kids, and she wanted them soon. Sam wanted to age with his fiancé, and I wouldn't stand in the way of that.

"But how do you even know that everything you're describing is anything Grace would even want? She's told everybody she likes the tribal school way better than that other fuckin' place, who even knows if she'll want to go to some fancy school, anyway? Her happiness it the most important thing to me and if that's what she'd want, I'd move every fuckin' mountain to make sure it happens. But she's also extremely close to you, Seth and your Mom. That sense of commitment? She's never gonna lose that. Because she wouldn't plan for a future that didn't have all of you in it. It's not just about me. She's attached to you, too, I won't be the only one she's basing her decisions around," I confessed. Leah nodded thoughtfully.

"I know, okay? I get that she'll probably find her way back here. She made me pull her out of that rich kid school and didn't even bat an eye. I get that. But she should have the option. She should be able to date other boys, go and do whatever she wants wherever she wants. She deserves a normal life, not one where she's weighed down by a lifetime of commitments she didn't even sign up for," Leah answered, her voice emotional and full of conviction. I agreed. I didn't want Grace to feel obligated to be with me in any capacity, but I did hope she chose me. Every time I saw her, I imagined our beautiful future together. I couldn't imagine my life without her in it, but if she ever wanted a life away from me, I would have no choice but to do as she asked. I wanted her to be able to have freedom; to feel like a normal person.

But nothing about our circumstance was normal.

"Her "normal life" walked out the door the minute you and your brother burst into a ball of fur and she found Bella Swan in the woods," I said hotly. "Maybe it's not the cards we would have picked, but it's the cards we were dealt. The only thing we can do is play with what we've got. I…I realize I may not be the guy you wanted for her, and I get it. I'm not the smartest, I'm not the most sensitive, I'm not a lot of the things Grace deserves. But I am telling you this now, my entire being is completely devoted and bound to her. I will do everything I can to take care of her, to love her in whatever way she allows me. I will give her everything she ever wants or needs. And I will only ever leave when she tells me to go, not even you can push me away. She may be naïve, but she's still a person who has her own thoughts and feelings. And she deserves to make whatever choices she wants."

"And what do you know about choices? You didn't choose her. You chose that palefaced bitch with a death-wish. Even when you knew her before the imprint, you didn't want her. What do you think she's going to think when you tell her the only reason why you're obsessed with her is because of something you never even wanted? That the imprint chose her, but you didn't?" Leah demanded.

And with that, the rest of our car ride was silent.

Once I dropped Leah off in front of her house, I drove to Second Beach.

I had a lot of thinking to do.

Starting to really hate this red-headed bitch. Paul grumbled as we patrolled. I sent him a noise of affirmation, the vamp was starting to really piss everyone off as she darted in and out of our territory every night. Every time the pack or the Cullen's tried to stop her, we were always one step out of reach, just a few seconds too late. It was getting frustrating and even with our 24/7 security, the numbers of missing people throughout the state were escalating and it was putting us all on edge.

Thought you already hated her? Brady snickered as he and Collin patrolled the most Northwest border. Y'know, honestly I think if she wasn't a blood-sucking leech that looked like a demonic Raggedy Ann doll, she'd be kinda hot. he added.

Ew, you creep. Collin, you hear that? Your BFF has a crush on a dead animal. They have words for people like you, you know. Jared chimed in with a laugh. Brady growled and I rolled my eyes.

Can we please just focus for right now? I'm really not trying to let this thing slip through our line again. I complained. I could feel the wear-and-tear on my body even though I signed up for night shifts intentionally. I wanted to spend every possible moment with Grace, and even if I had to stay up all night and all day, I'd do whatever I had to do so I could see her.

I thought about the last few times I had been over, how I could feel my eyes droop as I sat on one of her throw pillows on the floor as I listened to the hypnotizing light tapping of her typing away on her computer. Her twinkly lights in her room casting a sleepy glow as the sun went down, the rhythmic pitter patter of the raindrops on her window. My eyes would struggle to stay open as I felt myself falling asleep to the comforting scent of vanilla and orange blossoms, and I'd practically pry my eyelids open so I could watch her laying on the floor doing her math homework with her feet kicked in the air as Weezer played through her computer speaker. Her wavy black hair was always pulled up into a bun that she'd readjust four or five different times since the weight of her thick locks would ultimately make it slump over. I'd watch her mouthing words silently as she scribbled notes down on a piece of paper, how every so often she'd look up and narrow her eyes as she saw me abandoning my long-forgotten homework on the floor.

Oh my god, dude, I can't do it. I am officially done seeing Grace Clearwater in people's thoughts! I feel like I'm in some sort of imprint prison and this is my punishment. Brady whined childishly. My eyes snapped up and I growled lowly through the pack mind.

Who the hell is "people"? Jared and I have our own imprints, dude. Keep your business to yourself Paul asked bewilderedly.

Who else is thinking of Grace, exactly? I seethed.

And that's when I saw it.

My brain was flooded with images of Grace in the tribal school cafeteria and in the hallway. Visions of her twirling her hair or munching on a carrot stick, or her big, brown eyes making contact with mine as she smiled lightly. Her sweet, happy smile as she giggled across the lunch table with Kim. Grace's legs crossing, her dimples, the way she would lean forward slightly and her shirt would drop a little…

Thoughts that weren't mine, to say the least.

What the fuck?

I-I'm sorry, oh my god I'm so sorry, that was an accident, I promise! Collin exclaimed in a panicked voice. I could feel Brady's second-hand embarrassment through the pack mind, and the collective shock of Paul and Jared as they realized just what was happening.

Collin Littlesea had a crush on my imprint. And that was going to end right now.

You fucking sicko! I boomed. I could feel the urge to sink my teeth into something, the feeling of rage quickly coming to the surface as my wolf called for blood. The instinct to protect, to kill the little bastard that was thinking of her, that was looking at what was mine.

In just a few minutes, I found myself sprinting to the northwest border. I was going to kill this piece of shit, how dare he look at her and objectify my imprint! Mine!

Oh fuck. Jacob, you better stop or I'm getting Sam. Paul scolded tiredly. I couldn't listen, I had to ignore him. I had to defend Grace, I had to protect her from this boy who thought Grace was his to have, his to look at and lust over.

You're in for it now, dude. Brady muttered to his friend. I could feel Collin's fear, his panic over whether or not to leave his post. He could either get his ass kicked by me now, or I could chase him down and make it much, much worse.

Guys, the red-head's back. Get in formation, now! Jared yelled. But I couldn't stop myself, I couldn't go back to my post. I needed to attack Collin, to feel his submission. I wanted him to pay.

Jake, she's over by you! Take your head out of your ass and fucking get her! Paul shrieked.

I could see reddish brown fur within sight and pushed my legs even harder as the idiot sprinted between trees away from me. I could smell his fear, and I leaped forward onto him. My mouth was practically salivating as I bit down on his shoulder. I wanted my teeth in his jugular, I wanted to feel his blood on my teeth as he paid the price of thinking about something that didn't belong to him.

Suddenly, I was knocked over to my side. I went flying and landed on my back, and I shook my head to figure out what was going on.

Sam.

Stand down, Jacob. You've proven your point. Sam commanded harshly. I wanted more, I wanted to see Collin cower and beg for my forgiveness. I wanted to tear his eyes out so he could never look at Grace again.

Grace is MINE! I howled. Collin's eyes narrowed at me boldly, his legs attempting to get back under him as he tried to stand up. His shoulder was bleeding sluggishly, I wished I had made more of a mark. He'd heel in just a few hours. I wanted him to hurt a little more.

Collin, you know better than to think of an imprint that way. That is incredibly inappropriate. Sam reprimanded. I could see Collin's ears flatten back as his tail went between his legs. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Grace wasn't his.

She doesn't belong to anyone! You don't own her. Collin snapped. I could feel the collective surprise from all of us in the pack mind, and Brady was quickly to knock his friend off his feet. Sorry about him. He must have a concussion or something. He didn't mean that. Brady apologized with warning in his voice, his eyes harsh as he stared down his friend.

Sorry, Jacob. Collin muttered quietly. I nodded.

He better be.

Two nights later, I was sitting on the porch with Grace as she sat with her legs folded under her on one of the Adirondack chairs. Her hair was wet from her shower and lay flat down her back; the scent of vanilla wafted through the air and I could feel my senses tingle like I had taken a sedative. My eyes were half-lidded as I watched her silently reading "Lord of the Flies," and the creaking of the rocking chair was putting me to sleep.

Suddenly, she slapped the book down on the ground and wiped at her face, exhaling deeply as she looked at me. "I can't read anymore," she said in exasperation. "I'm gonna get even more nightmares from that- I'm done with reading about a bunch of boys killing things and fighting with each other."

I laughed nervously, the parallel of her quick summary of the plot ringing slightly too true to the reality of my own life. "More nightmares? Again?" I asked, noticing the dark circles that always seemed to linger under her eyes had darkened similarly to the way they looked when her father passed away. She nodded and blew a stray curl out of her face. "Same thing, different night," she replied tiredly.

"You never tell me what they're about," I admitted quietly. "Maybe talking about it will, like, cleanse it from your brain or something."

She pushed her hair to the side and started to make a thick braid. "It's because I literally don't even know what I'm seeing. I can't tell if it's just a nightmare, or I'm seeing something through my gift or whatever," she explained. "And they're weird. Like, super weird. It's like I'm on drugs or something."

"Lay it on me. Nothing shocks me anymore," I replied as I rubbed my hands together in fake preparation. She looked over at me with a wry smile, and I could see her debating in her head. "I'm prepped and ready, c'mon, I wanna hear it."

"Well," she started unsurely, suddenly looking a little shy. "Basically, I'm like, lost in the woods at night. Kind of like how it looked when I found Bella, like everything around me is dark and I can barely see. But somehow at the same time, I can see, I don't know, this thing. And it has super bright red hair, and I can barely tell what it is because its running so fast. And I just know I'm gonna die somehow. Then I start waking up, but right before I wake up I hear a man's voice and it's usually just nonsense," she explained.

I had to fight to keep my face neutral, my body stiffening as I took in her words. It was no coincidence that we were trying to find a red-headed vamp in the woods nearly every day and night. But she didn't know that.

"I sound nuts, don't I?" Grace said as she stared at her braid. "I feel like I'm going a little crazy," she laughed sharply.

"No, not nuts. Just scary, is all," I replied as I tried to figure out the right words to say. The truth was, I felt like I was stepping on dangerous territory. Do I tell Sam about this? Do I tell Grace, "hey, you're actually not going crazy! this is actually happening and I'm not sure how you know about it?"

"So what do you wanna do for your birthday?" I asked lightly, trying to steer the conversation away from possibly one of the most pressing concerns to date. "A huge, once-in-a-lifetime birthday bash, perhaps?" I laughed sarcastically.

She let out a long-winded groan as her neck tilted back. "Gosh, do I have to do anything? I kinda just want to stay at home and watch a movie or something. Maybe take a nap."

"You're always napping."

"It's a fantastic way to spend time, Jacob Black."

"Even better than spending time with me?"

"Hey, I allow you to cut into my twelve allocated hours of sleep, okay?"

I turned towards her, my eyes rolling playfully as I meet her mischievous smile. "Well, maybe that would be a good way to spend your birthday if you and Seth were turning, oh, I don't know, eighty-five?" I joked as I braced my arms around my face, knowing what was about to happen.

Sure enough, Grace picked up her book and lightly threw it at me. "I just… I dunno. I guess I wouldn't even know who to invite," she said with a sigh. "Maybe I should just give Kim the reins over my part, let her and Seth duke it out between them."

I studied her face, taking in her slightly disappointed expression as she stared up at the night sky beyond the porch. I hated seeing her anything but happy, and I would give her the best birthday yet.

"Why don't we do something, then? We can do whatever you want. Even if it's shopping," I offered lightly. She glanced at me, her cheeks pinkening prettily. "Really?" Grace asked, her voice in disbelief. "You'd wanna do that? Like, hang out on my birthday?"

I scoffed. "Um, of course? What kind of friend do you take me for?" I asked as she beamed up at me. Her expression suddenly became shy, her big, brown eyes looking up at me as she ducked her head inside her hoodie slightly. "I've never had a birthday on my own before," she said quietly.

And I supposed it was true- even though I hadn't known her before, I had always heard about the Clearwater twins' birthday parties. Rachel and Rebecca couldn't have been more different growing up, so once they started getting older, they just hung out with their own friends on their special day. But Seth and Grace were kind of a joint package. I thought about it often, just how close their connection was and how fascinating it was to see them interact. I'd never seen siblings like that. Maybe only in movies.

"Well, it's up to you. We can do anything you want and go anywhere within reason," I stated as I kicked my feet up against the porch railing. "It's your special day, you only turn 15 once. But don't worry, you have time to think about it,"

Her mouth quirked to the side and she bit her lip. "Okay, I'll try to come up with something. And maybe I won't force you to suffer through something you hate."

"You're extremely generous."

"It is one of my many, many admirable traits."

"Oh, are there more? Is one of them modesty?"

"Yes, I am actually the best at being modest, if you must know."

"Oh, right of course. Just, y'know, something a modest person would say."

"Obviously. Oh, and don't forget extremely generous, too," she joked as we both erupted into laughter. A few more minutes passed as our laughter dulled, and I spoke up again. "But I am pretty sure someone's gonna want to throw something for you and Seth. Just warning you."

Suddenly, the front door opened loudly, and a pajama-clad Leah opened the door. I couldn't remember a time where I actually saw her look like a regular person, as she stood there in a pair of plaid pajama shorts and an old t shirt.

"Sorry to crash your party, little sis, but Jacob I think it's time for you to skedaddle. It's like 10 pm," Leah interrupted with a sardonic smile before she shut it again. Grace rolled her eyes as she pouted.

"Already? Time passed by so fast," Grace grumbled. I laughed. "Oh c'mon, we've hung out for like seven hours straight," I replied.

Her face turned red and her smile seemed slightly forced, and I couldn't help but frown. "What? What's wrong?" I asked. She shook her head, her smile seeming slightly more genuine now.

"N-Nothing, I was just thinking about all the work I have to do," she blurted. I could tell she was lying, but I wasn't sure if it was in my best interest to tell her that I could see right through her. "Well, bye!" she said quickly as she started to open the front door. Wait, I thought to myself abruptly. Not yet.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her into a big hug. She stumbled and I could feel her face turned a bright shade of red. "Just wanted to say goodbye before I left," I said quietly. Her eyes widened as my arms wrapped around her tightly, embracing her as I inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. Her arms wrapped around me hesitantly, and we stood there for a few moments. I leaned backwards and looked at her face, which was open and vulnerable in a way I had never seen on her, even more vulnerable than when she was feeling emotional. Her eyes were slightly glazed as she looked up at me, and I held her in my arms for another few seconds. "Hope you have better dreams tonight, Grace," I said knowingly as I let her go and made my way down the porch steps.

As I hopped in my car and gave her one last wave, I saw her standing just where I left her.

"Dude, she's like, a million times better than Bella. I mean, for one, she's not in love with a leech, so jot that down," Embry said as we sat on Emily's porch outside the Uley home. I threw the core of my apple at him as I rolled my eyes. "I don't even know how to feel about the fact that you're comparing them," I mumbled.

"So when are you dropping the big bomb? Y'know, letting the wolf outta the bag?" Quil asked on the other side of me.

We had just come back from patrol and decided to grab a late lunch at Sam and Emily's, and my constant mental loop about all things Grace Clearwater was starting to drive the guys a little insane. The guys decided to have a semi-intervention, at least so things like the whole Collin situation wouldn't disrupt patrol again.

I slapped a hand over my eyes as I wiped my face in exasperation. "Dude, I don't know. It's not exactly something I wanna spring on her. Literally almost everyone she talks to is a fuckin' werewolf, it's going to be a jarring conversation for her," I replied tiredly.

The weight of my secret was weighing heavily on me and the pack mind, especially as Grace interacted with them more. But there was no sign that Leah wanted to lift the big-bad-ban anytime soon, and I wasn't going to argue with her. And maybe, just maybe, a little part of me liked the way our relationship was forming and strengthening, and I was afraid I'd completely ruin it with such overwhelming information. Maybe I was a little afraid that she'd reject me, and worse, reject the imprint further down the line.

Just as I leaned up to grab another sandwich on the big platter next to all of us, I heard a signature truck rumbling down the street. And based on the reactions of the guys, they clearly heard it too.

"Aw, shit," Embry muttered. I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried not to fulfill my urge to run away as fast as possible, but Sam told me this needed to be done, so I had little choice but to follow the Alpha order. "Good luck, my man. Embry, I'm betting five bucks that she cries," Quil shouted.

"You're on, dude."

Bella pulled up to the house and hopped out of the front seat. "Hey," she said quietly as she stuck her hands in her front pockets uncomfortably. "Hey, Bells. How're you?" I asked cordially. She shrugged. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Me being here, I mean? I am the vampire girl, remember?" she asked with her mouth pressed into a straight line. Trust me Bella, I thought to myself. If this had been my idea, I wouldn't be doing this anyway.

Luckily, Quil and Embry hopped down to greet her and saved me from having to respond. They exchanged awkward pleasantries, the discomfort heightened by the fact that the guys knew why I had to call her to Sam's house and her complete ignorance to what I was about to tell her. My jaw ticked as they looked at her pityingly. Say goodbye, guys. This is probably the last time you'll see her.

"Quil, you too?" Bella asked as she rocked back on her heels. "Yep, finally made the pack," he answered her politely. We stood for a few minutes in awkward silence, and Bella's cordial smile started to wane. Just as I thought things couldn't get any worse, Leah walked out from inside the house, her hair wet from the shower she was taking in Emily's bathroom after patrol and walked straight towards us. I could hear Quil mutter curse words under his breath.

"Bella, this is Leah Clearwater. Seth and Grace's sister," I explained hesitantly. Leah's glare was practically damning as she studied her with sharp eyes, her jaw clenched as she took in the sight of my former friend. "Hey. I know it's been a while, but I'm really sorry about your father," Bella said hesitantly as she nervously bit her lip.

"I was wondering when I'd see your paleface around here again," Leah replied coolly as she inspected Bella as if she were no more than an insect. "If you're on the rez to torture my sister or Jacob some more, feel free to leave," she snapped as she stalked off, her fiery eyes meeting mine.

"Fun, isn't she?" I asked with a smile of relief, knowing the interaction between the two could have gone much worse. I could hear Embry and Quil let out breaths I didn't realize they were holding. Suddenly, Sam stepped into the doorway and whistled for the guys to join him so Bella and I could have our very-necessary conversation, not even offering her a "hello" as I gave him a nod of affirmation.

I started to walk to the other side of the house so we could speak away from straying ears and motioned for her to follow me. "So…when did Leah join the pack?" she asked curiously. My jaw shifted as I bit down on my tongue, holding myself back from saying anything rude. "Uh, when her dad died. Seth also phased. He's one of the youngest we've had, Grace doesn't know about any of it yet," I bit out, hoping she could make the connection at how absent she had been from both Grace's and my life.

How she had missed her friend's worst day when she needed her the most.

"So how does that work…with Leah and everything? Since she's the only girl?" she pushed. I cleared my throat and looked around me suspiciously, making sure Sam was keeping everyone away from my conversation with Bella. I sighed. "We all have to live the Leah-Sam-Emily pain-fest. Wolf telepathy, remember? Just kinda what happens when you get romantically involved with more than one person at the same time, I guess," I snarked.

"So Sam dumped Leah for Emily?" Bella asked quietly. I scoffed. Now we were getting to the major topic of conversation, the reason Sam made me invite her over in the first place. "It wasn't like that. Sam…he hates himself for hurting Leah. But Emily was the one," I explained lightly.

"I guess it sort of chooses you sometimes," she said with a sad smile. I frowned, feeling my wolf get riled up at the blasé nature of her description of the imprint. This was nothing like her relationship with the leech. Imprinting was special, it was beautiful, and it wasn't supposed to hurt anyone.

Supposed to, anyway.

"It's more than just some crush, Bella," I rushed out impatiently. "Sam imprinted on Emily."

"Do I even wanna know what that is?" Bella questioned as her hands moved into her back pockets as we walked around. Oh yeah, Bella. You're gonna wanna know.

I inhaled and took a few minutes to gather my thoughts. How could I describe such an indescribable experience? How could I make Bella, who had never known what it was like to love someone not only as a choice, but as an act of fate? "Imprinting on someone is like…" I started as I trailed off.

I thought about Grace's smile and how even when she was feeling shy, she lit up the entire room. How she spread joy to everyone she met, how the pack accepted her unconditionally not even just because of her relationship to Seth and Leah, but because she was so wholeheartedly good, she was impossible to dislike. The way she'd move her hair over her shoulder and mindlessly wrap one of her long black locks around her finger when she asked a question, the way she would bite the end of her pencil when she was doing homework as she stared at it like it was nothing more than a crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper.

How Grace Clearwater had completely taken over my life for the better, in a way Bella Swan never could've.

"…It's like when you see her, everything changes. All of the sudden it's not gravity holding you to the planet, it's her. Nothing else matters. You would do anything, be anything for her," I explained softly, my mouth tilting upwards as I thought about the smell of her hair and her witty little quips she'd say mid-conversation. Bella's mouth pursed, and we stood in a few moments of complete silence.

"Sounds…sounds like you know the feeling," she said as she looked at the ground uncomfortably, her voice oddly sad as she averted her gaze from mine. My smile widened a little more, and her eyes flickered to mine. "Have you…imprinted on someone?" she asked, her voice neutral as she stared at me with sharp eyes. I looked at the ground and let out a light laugh. "I think you know I have," I replied.

Bella swallowed nervously as she kicked at a rock below her. "Who…who is it?" she whispered. I exhaled shakily.

"Grace Clearwater."

Bella looked like she had been punched in the stomach, the way she leaned forward as her mouth gaped open. "You…no," she whispered in something I could only describe as horror. I frowned and my eyebrows furrowed. "You imprinted on Grace?" she squeaked out. I nodded seriously.

"How?!" she yelled, her horror quickly turning into anger. "How…on her?!" she gasped. I huffed out a breath. "I'm telling you for a reason, Bella. Imprinting…it's decided by something much bigger than us. It was fate," I stated.

"You didn't even like her!"

"Because I was blind. I was blinded by my own stupidity, and the love I had for you. The day she saved you, Bella? That was the day I knew in my heart and in my soul, I didn't belong to you. I never did. I belonged to her," I snapped. Her gaping mouth shut abruptly, and her eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to make sense of the information I was giving her.

"You…you didn't even have a choice, Jacob! This isn't…this isn't you! You aren't you anymore!" she cried. I grabbed her by the shoulders gently, attempting to calm her as her temper raged.

"Look, nothing ever made sense before. You, me, any of it. And now I understand why. This was the reason," I said softly. Bella jerked away from me and her arms wrapped around herself protectively, her eyes wet as her forehead pinched in confusion. "Do you…do you even love her?" she argued.

I smiled and nodded. "I do, Bella. I love Grace more than anything I've ever loved before, I didn't even think feeling this way was possible."

"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked brokenly. My face became grave and I let go of her shoulders. I backed away from her, taking a deep inhale as I prepared myself to say the next part. I could feel Sam's presence somewhere close to me, and I knew he was listening.

"Because we thought you deserved to know. Things, they're different now. We…you and I can't be Jake and Bella anymore. Because as long as you're around Edward, Bella, I can't be…I can't be around you."

"W-What?! Jacob, what the hell?"

"I'm sorry, Bella. This is how it has to be."

Bella shoved me in an attempt to push me backwards. "You…you…for her?! All of this is for her?!" she shrieked. My face hardened, my anger palpable as her rage for my imprint agitated my wolf. "Bella, you made your choice. You chose him, you chose a threat not just to your life, but the life of everyone around you. I will not allow you to put her in any danger. This is a decision I should have made a long time ago, but Grace… the imprint… it shows you what really matters, what risks are worth taking. This isn't one of them," I declared.

"No. No! I will not let that…that bit- "

"- Don't finish that sentence, Bella. Don't make me do something I'll regret," I interrupted angrily. Her face searched mine desperately, tears falling down her cheeks as my words soaked in. "You… Bella, you are no longer welcome in La Push. I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I'm not sorry for the reason why," I said grimly. "I can't let you take this away from me, too."

Bella laughed bitterly, her jaw clenched as she pushed the hair away from her face. "You're going to regret this," she bit out. "You loved me. You were happy with me. What happened to that, huh? What happened to being…us?"

I sighed sadly, a nostalgic smile rising to my face. "It's time to say goodbye, Bells. I'll always care about you. But I'm finally happy, Bella. I feel…I feel whole. And nothing's worth losing that feeling. You understand that, more than anyone, I think."

Bella shook her head as she placed her fingers at her temple in concentration. "I can't… I'm not giving you up, Jake. I'm not," she muttered quickly. I grabbed her wrists from her head and held them in my hands. "You're right, Bella. You're not. I'm giving us up. This is just how things were meant to be," I said quietly. I let go of her hands and backed away.

"Goodbye, Bella."

A/N: Hello everyone! I am so sorry for my delayed update, but I am very grateful that you have all been sitting patiently awaiting it! I have been really busy with two other stories and college stuff (I just applied early decision to my dream school- fingers crossed) but I have 5 chapters pre-written ready for upload, and I'm working on more as we speak. Please make sure you leave a review, I love you all!

Love always,

Fairylight2003