Hello and nice to see you all! I'm trying to dust off some cobwebs and get back into writing, I'm hoping this story will get some love and take you all on an epic journey. Anyway, happy reading and I hope you enjoy.
"He didn't want you Bella, please." I closed the distance between us in two long steps. "I can't just let him... kill himself out of guilt." She snapped desperately without turning. Of course not, isn't that part of what I love about you so much? My heart was aching with every step she took to the car, I needed to say what might incline her to stay. "Is this how you want to live damn it?" I stopped trailing her retreating form. Is this how you want to live, chasing her back forever? "I just have to Jake." She stopped as well and finally turned taking hold of the sleek door.
"Bella only a few hours, please hurry!" The small vampire shouted from inside the leather interior. "Then don't go for him, stay for Charlie... for me Bells." I whispered the last part, almost hoping she hadn't heard it. I could smell the salty tears that no doubt blurred her vision. She left the door open and came running around the back end of the car, throwing herself in to my arms. Large chocolate eyes gazed up at me and pretty pink lips parted. I knew the look and seized the opportunity, my lips covering hers in a swift movement of sheer and utter panic, she was leaving. She kissed back with a ferocity that sent my head spinning and lit me on fire from the inside out. Hands moulding to her hips I yanked her against me and just like that, she was gone.
"I'm coming back for you Jacob." That was her promise to me, eyes locked on mine. Who knew where she ended up, because she never did return for me. I couldn't tell you what happened to Isabella Swan or any of the filthy Cullen blood-suckers. I skipped a rock out over La Push water, wishing for the millionth time in six years that she could have just called, just written, just let me down fully instead of keeping me wondering. Where did you go Bells? I huffed and turned, jogging to the trees after hearing the howl of the only wolf on patrol right now.
Moss lined the forest floor but it didn't bother me as I dropped, naked, to my knees. My shift was rapid and painless now, nothing like the first time. My temper had only gotten worse with age and I often exploded into a ball of fur, teeth and rage but now the lingering hot agony that used to follow the rearrangement of my entire anatomy was no longer. I felt no consequence from flying between flesh and fur, only a deep satisfaction when my paws sprang forth and met damp ground. I inhaled with a new sense of smell unlike any other, a sharper eye sight and hearing better than any natural being should posses.
Jake, you're late. Come on man I'm ready to go home.
Seth Clearwater padded up to me, no longer lanky and short as he had been. His sand colored wolf was filled out and well muscled, almost as big as I was and bigger than Sam even, no one had seen that coming. I looked cautiously into the wide eyes of my second in command, the innocents having been wiped from those eyes long ago.
I didn't know what time it was. A lie.
I know you don't like being alone out here man, I can have someone run your flank... lots of wolves with no jobs to do.
I growled at the small implication of weakness. I don't need a fucking babysitter Seth. Instead of bristling at the harsh tone he sat down beside me and cocked his head to the side, as if to tell me I was being a dumb ass, perhaps the reason Seth was better fitted to be the second in command than Sam.
I don't like it either, Leah came out here and ran with me a while. Wouldn't you like to talk to Quil or somethin'? They've been... they need you around Jake, maybe we could work a pack run in later? I couldn't help the more aggressive snarl that came from my throat, wishing my wolf would tone it down. I stopped mid action, scolding my inner animal.
Get lost.
He was gone and I started towards the cliffs, my start and finish line for perimeter runs. Inhaling salt I cleared my mind of everything, preferring only to feel the dirt give under my weight but was cut off right away.
Can I come too? Quil peaked from behind a tree, head low. Instead of usual burning anger I felt content and nodded, shaking out dust from my red fur. Without wandering thoughts clouding my run we took off peacefully In sync.
After my patrol was officially over I was greeted by 6 other wolves in my head all demanding we stay.
Come on Jake, just a few laps
Everyone can have a good time at the beach after.
We deserve some quality time together
The girls are at the beach, they're making food and drinks
Please. Please Jacob. The last request came from Leah whos ice blue eyes were peering into my damn soul.
Fine. Let's go, three times round. And stay in line!
My pack ran in unison as one for the first time in months, we were fast and everyone was having a good time. When it was over they were all noticeably more relaxed and I could tell the energy was calmer. I still stood in wolf form at the tree line to the beach when Seth stopped on two legs next to me.
"Thanks" was all he said before heading out, tailing the rest of the pack to the girls who were already readying plates. I sat on my haunches feeling very fidgety as I watched Pauls hand slide in to Leahs back pocket, they'd been an item for a long time now and they were very happy. No more doom and gloom from Leah and significantly less temper from Paul. Usually.
I thought back to six years ago, Bella waiting for me at the trees tapping her toe. Though I knew it would hurt later I closed my eyes and let the memory surround me, let her scent fill my lungs and her voice my ears.
"Where the hell have you been!" She smacked my chest lightly and made a small snarling sound that was comical coming from such a small girl. Her mood turned even darker when I laughed though so I shut my mouth abruptly. "I'm sorry okay, I'm sorry" I nuzzled her neck with my nose stepping close. "I waited Jake." She crossed her arms over her chest unmoved. "I know, I couldn't get out of patrol, of course I'd have rather been here with you." I said coyly head tilted down. She turned and threw her hands up in mock irritation, laughing quietly and walking to the spread blanket on the beach shore.
I jogged behind her to catch up and swiftly lifted her, throwing her over my shoulder when I passed without effort. She squealed and laughed loudly pounding on my back. "Jake put me down!" she thrashed knowing that she had no chance of escape. I rounded and headed back to the forest, dropping her lightly beyond the trees. "Wanna go for a ride, I'll make it up to you." I winked stripping off my shorts, and her eyes found the forest floor very interesting.
I shifted slower than now, and accompanied by a burning in my limbs. Standing tall on four limbs I padded over to her and lowered my head, wanting her to scratch. Her hand reached and when she touched me my vision went black.
"You can't keep me here forever, someone will come looking for me!" I watched through tunnel vision as three red eyed vampires sat in throne like seats in front of me. I caught a glimpse of splayed hands to my side and realized that I was watching this from the mind of someone else. "Silly aren't you, it's been a long time for you to be holding on to that hope." The long dark haired one chided.
"Perhaps you'll be sorry when what I've said becomes reality." The voice sounded distorted and familiarly feminine as it spoke from the body we were sharing. "Get her out of my sight, when she's feeling cooperative I'll see her again. No food, no water." The blond one hissed from the corner, devoid of all emotion.
"You will regret this. I have a pack, a family." The voice insisted as someone seized her arms roughly behind her back. Tears blurred the vision I looked through and a snarl met the violent jerk that turned us about face. "He will come for you when he finds out what you've done to me." The female promised. "Even dogs know when their toys are broken stupid girl."
As if I were thrown back in to my own body I was jarred back to consciousness still sitting in my spot just behind the tree line. My body shook and I was suddenly famished, freezing as I hadn't been since the wolf made himself known. My mouth watered and I was suddenly unable to sit any longer resisting the smell of the food.
I padded towards them, my family trying to make sense of what had just happened. It was no flash back of mine, didn't feel like a flash back at all anyway. It seemed like it must be happening right then and there, I could feel everything she felt. And whos eyes was I looking through anyway, a woman no doubt. I was distracted from my vague guessing when I walked among my brothers.
Embry smacked me on the back and handed me a fully loaded plate bowing under the weight of the food piled high. "We were worried you ran off." He teased smiling.
"Nah, I'd never pass up free food." I joked half heartedly back.
"Let's go get a drink after dinner?" Seth slid next to me speaking quietly but he should have known it wouldn't matter.
"Hell yeah we're gonna go get a drink!" Paul slung an arm around both of our shoulders with a wide grin. I rolled my eyes, as if I needed more trouble.
"Whatever you guys want tonight." I conceded looking around, they'd all been working very hard lately and blowing off some steam couldn't hurt anyone. Not if we played it safe and I had every intention of keeping everyone on their best behavior.
Who was that girl? I wished more than anything to put a name to the voice, it sounded strange in her head but I recognized it...in some distant memory I'd heard a similar desperation.