AN: Well things start to cool down in this chapter, or do they? Sorry for the late update real life has taken another rollercoaster spin for me which I'm actaully happy about this time.

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Jessa76: Well nothing, and I say nothing is set in stone so things may just change for everybody, I shall say no more. Thank you for reviewing I really appreciate it!

Chapter 9

April 1, 2006

The last two weeks had been somewhat tense and yet filled with moments of pure sweetness with Jacob and I. The vampires hadn't confronted me yet but every time I caught a glimpse of Edward I started mentally yelling at him. Charlie was sticking to his guns about Bella being grounded and had me drive her to school, work, then home. I mostly got silence and odd looks from her as we drove. Charlie had temporarily given Bella's truck back to Billy until the grounding was over. Jake was surprised but after Charlie caught her from driving back after the curfew he set for her he put his foot down. At times I felt bad but I hoped that some space from Edward would let her think.

Today was Wednesday Jacob was going to show me the forest that outlined the treaty line. I was finishing up a Swedish lesson by recording a few conversational phrases in Swedish. For my final project I would have to give a five minute presentation about an aspect of Sweden. I chose their food and was going to make something then talk about the dish. I was waiting for there thirty to roll around then I would change and go meet him at his house. I started in on the last of the anatomy assignments. I had had a test on Friday that I was not looking forward to but I had been studying hard for it. I couldn't focus on the last question about the name for one of the footboys so put it down and walked away. I wanted to run, it had taken me three days to really feel comfortable in my wolf form. After that though I loved it, the speed I had and how I could smell so many things. I was now faster and could smell better as a human but nothing beat the feel of the earth between my paws.

I went upstairs and pulled out the roast with potatoes, onions, and carrots in it. I checked it and made sure to put more water so that it wouldn't dry out. I put it back into the oven and set it to two hundred degrees. I took a sticky note and put it on the table where Charlie usually sat saying Jake had picked me up and we were eating with his friends but there was a roast in the oven. I tied up a bundle of my clothes which included my keys, then I stripped leaving the front door cracked. Then I changed which surprised me every time how fast and painless it was. I threaded my head through the bag's loop and went outside. I jumped up grabbed the cold door handle in my teeth and closed the door. Then I turned and loped off into the woods. I was faster now and could make La Push in the same time time it took me to drive there if I was going eighty on the highway. I made to Jakes just as his bike rumbled into the driveway. I bounded towards him when he stopped. He grinned at me and ruffled the fur on top of my head.

"Eager are you?" I barked sticking my tongue out at him. He laughed and put his bike away then went into his house. I heard him talking to Billy telling him he and I were going on a run. Billy had seen me in wolf form and hand'e batted an eye. Which made sense since he had helped Jake but I was still somewhat surprised because I had tried sneaking up on him. Jake came out and I followed as he walked into the forest. He stripped in front of me and I had to place away else I would change and things would get heated. We hadn't gone as far as we had that night but that felt right and I was happy that he kept his word and didn't push me. He changed and slung his own bag over his head.

Then we were off chasing each other through splashes on sunlight and shadow. I nipped the tip of his tail playfully and he whirled eyes dancing with mischief. He leapt at me but I evaded and dashed off but he caught me with a leap and we rolled in the leaves. We wrestled and banged into trees. Finally I pinned him laughing as a wolf would with my eyes, and body language.

Alright you she wolf, let me up. Remember we have to patrol the border, well I do your just coming along for shits and giggles.

I'm coming along so I know where the treaty line is in the woods.

You could figure that out if you used your nose. Here we're coming up to it now. I could smell it, the vampire scent on one side and the commingling of the pack scent ran along making a large sweep that we followed. It was actually a pretty large area we covered. It was like a pie that had been nibbled on where the land met the sea. I made sure to remember it as we looped back and ran the other way paws thudding in the quiet earth.

It was a thrill to run with Jake feeling him beside me felt right and so natural like breathing. He was so easy to love, and I felt close to him and like I was an important part of his life. He made an effort to be with me and do the regular boyfriend girlfriend things like we had that evening before I had changed. I got want he meant about how different you felt after changing. Then all of a sudden Jacob stopped, we were close to the road that breached out from forks near the treaty line. One raid wend to La Push the other to the few houses that were let back into the woods. That was were the Cullen's lived.

I smell Bella with the leech, I have something to say to him

Jacob just leave it please. He's not worth it whatsoever.

I need to do this either you come with or you can stay here until I come back.

Of course I'm coming and stop with the whole Alpha male thing Jake.

I'm sorry

Thank you. That ended our little talk session and I followed him as he quickly shifted and changed. He went to the center of the road as I hung back. He joined me with Edward and Bella in tow. He went to my side and wrapped an arm around me.

"I'm surprised your still human Bella." Jake spoke face tense.

"He thinks it's me keeping you away." Edward said standing slightly in front of Bella.

"Stay the hell out of my head." Jake growled

"I know you have something to say to me Jacob, but I want to say something first. Thank you, thank you for keeping Bella safe while I didn't." Jake's arm tightened around me.

"No you didn't, and it wasn't for your benefit trust me."

"I'm still grateful but I'm here now and I'm not going to leave her side until she orders me away."

"We'll see, now it's= my turn to talk. I wanted to remind you of a key point in the treaty."

"I haven't forgot."

"What is he talking about?" I wondered the same but stayed silent as I watched the back and forth.

"If any of them bites a human the treaty is over."

"What if I choose it then it has nothing to do with you."

"No, no your not going to be one of them. Bella I won't let you."

"Its not up to you Jacob."

"You know what we'll do to you, I won't have a choice."

"Bella please come."

"Is he going to hurt me read his mind." That had me pissed.

"What the hell Bella, you know him, of course he's not going to hurt you." I protested

"This isn't any of your business Meridian so stay the hell out of it." Bella said heat in her voice.

"If it involves Jacob, and Charlie yes, yes it does. Jacob and I are dating, and I live with Charlie. Do you have any idea what you either dying or going somewhere remote after being turned would do to him? Your being selfish which I can get, but to the point where you would willingly hurt those who love you is beyond bitchy."

"Don't talk to her that way." Edward said eyes narrowing.

"Excuse me I have been here longer than you. I know Charlie, and this would devastate him. Bella would be losing so many opportunities to live if she turned into a vampire."

"Do you think I want her to become a vampire? I have tried very hard to discourage this but it was put to a vote and it was almost unanimous for her to become one of us. I said no but she has decided."

"Fine then you chose to kill her because the treaty will be broken." Jacob rumbled out.

"Jacob, I love you, don't make me choose, because I'll choose him, it's always him and me spending the rest of forever with him."

"Bella." I said sadly

"Goodbye Meridian, Jacob-" Edward said turning.

"No you don't speak for her." Jacob pushed Edward who threw Jake across the clearing. Jacob changed in mid air then used a tree to leap off of and come back snarling at Edward. Bella cringed a little. I went to Jacob standing in front of him.

"He's not worth it, let it go, come away with me." I put out my hand and he quieted. I turned and looked at Edward eyes hard.

"If you ever man handle him again you will have me to deal with. Take her and leave before I change my mind." I snarled feeling the tremors as I did. Edward glared at me but turned and shepherded Bella back to the car. They drove away and I looked back at Jacob who had changed and stood naked before me. I sagged against a tree the tension bleeding out of me, my trembling ceased and I leaned my head back sighing.

"Well that was tense." I murmured, I closed my eyes and listened to the forest letting it soothe the last bits of worry away. I heard Jacob come closer I opened my eyes and one of his tanned muscled arms was on either side of my head.

"I need to kiss you, because I am tempted to go after him and tare that leech from limb to limb than burn him." His eyes were simmering with anger I didn't know if kissing him was the right idea now but I tipped my head back in invitation.

"Kiss me then." He slanted his mouth over mind hungrily. His arms slid down my arms fingers brushing then cupping my breasts briefly. He slid south and clasped his hands around my ass listing me up. I twined my legs around his waist feeling his cock hard against the cleft in my legs. He kneaded my butt and pressed my mouth harder drinking me in. I started to wonder if this was right, I mean I loved hot sexy take charge Jake but this was something more than that.

"I need you so much Mar." He said pressing kisses into my neck and nipping my ear. I groaned trying to think through the haze.

"Jake maybe you need to let of some steam. I don't know if taking your anger out this way is right." I panted feeling guilty but also wanting him to keep on what he was doing.

"You don't want this?" He ground himself into me making me gasp and rock my hips involuntarily.

"Jacob, maybe let's talk about this, what's making you angry. I mean I know what's making you pissed off but maybe we should talk." He threaded his fingers through my hair.

"I don't want to talk Mar, I just, I just want to feel you, feel your body come apart because I did that to you. I don't want to push you but can we please talk after?" I sighed but my libido wanted to have him do that to me as well.

"Fine but we will talk about this?" He slowly nodded but answered me.

"Yes we will talk about this." He put his mouth to my neck and lightly bit it making me see stars. He had me now and I did my best to give as good as I got. In the end we were laying in a mossy bowl created by two roots.

"You know I love you right?" He said my head on his chest cuddled into his side the both of us naked.

"Yes I do." I sighed and snuggled into him. I worried about him and if he really wanted me or was still hooked on Bella? I was worried for Bella however much I thought her choices of late were shit. I worried for Charlie, and how the coming months would effect him. I hoped that Jake and I would last through all of this. It seemed to me as if the leading edge of a storm was making itself known. Who knew how we would end up on the other side of it.