~A/N Sorry for the delay. I've had "stuff" going on and all my muses tanked. I'm working my way back, I hope. No promises on the timing of updates, but yes, I'm still working on all the stories.

Chapter 6

His blood boiled as his body tested its limits in speed and endurance. The heat brought on by fury and turmoil burned his overly hot body, but Jacob ran like his life depended it no matter how much pain he endured. It was especially taxing because Jacob ran as a man with a semi-conscious Bella in his arms and one small bag of personal effects. It wasn't much weight-wise, but he felt loaded down after what he'd experienced the last hour. He knew one thing for certain, Bella's life depended on him being faster than was humanly possible. At least, he got the smallest head start.

Jared came through in the best way. He had his truck ready five or so miles down the road. Jacob hopped in the back with Bella, and the race against the Cullens continued. The new race was no longer dependent solely on Jacob. He hated losing some of the control, but there was no way to make it the whole way on foot with Bella as dead weight. She continued to be zoned out from the medication and there was absolutely no way Jacob would hand her off to anyone else. She was solely his responsibility, but he was also asking the pack for help. A battle raged within him that he didn't fully understand.

Edward was in pursuit. They all were. The worst scenario for the tick would be for him to catch them. Jacob wouldn't wait for permission. He'd end him then and there, but his hope was to get Bella over that treaty line and to safety first.

Bella came around a bit. When she realized they'd fled the Cullen's, she whispered thanks and then hid her face in the crook of his neck. She was afraid. Maybe she never believed she'd actually break free of him. Neither of them said another word after Bells begged for death. Her incoherent thoughts were a result of the trauma, the drugs or a mixture of things. She didn't mean it. She couldn't. It was completely unfair to ask because Bella knew full well how much Jacob loved her. There was no way he'd ever fulfill such a request. Bella needed time to heal, and she needed to be far away from those that hurt her. He should have never waited a day with the Cullens. Jacob should've taken her as soon as he found her alive.

Bells was broken in almost every way. He had no idea how deep her pain ran, but he helped her before. Jacob could do it again. He thought that young girl left in the woods was the most damaged soul he'd ever encountered, but he was wrong. This version of Bella was the worst, so much worse.

He squeezed her closer to stave off the shivering. "I'm going to take care of it, Bells."

"Good. That means I wasn't dreaming."

Their words had different meaning, but Jacob was sure one day she'd be glad he did it his way not hers.

The treaty line was in sight and Jacob whispered to Bella again. "Almost there. You're safe. You're always safe with me."

For the first time since waking up, Bella wrapped her arms tight around him. She reciprocated his hug and his hope in the future renewed. They could make it. Whatever life threw at them, together Jacob and Bella would survive.

Jacob didn't have a chance to say anything when he burst inside the house holding Bella. Billy was frantic. "No. Oh no, Bella. Child. Is she breathing?"

"Dad, of course she's breathing. Back up. Give her space."

Rachel was in the living room. She backed up against a wall like she was afraid to be anywhere near Bella. "Lay her down on the couch." Bella wouldn't let go of him so he sat at the edge with her in his lap. He hadn't thought how hard it was going to be to leave her, but the guys needed backup and Edward was all his. He told Jared to update the others and to form a barrier. He didn't want any of them to get through until Sam gave the word. Seth was supposed to be getting him after summoning Sue. Then they would meet the others at the treaty line.

Sam slammed the front door. Fuck. He had to be the kink in the plan. Jacob should've known he wouldn't listen to the kid.

"What the hell Jacob? I told you I needed to be informed at all times. Do you know what you've done?"

"I rescued Bells. You knew that was the plan."

"You don't get to make plans. Bella. Answer me. What's happening? You need to call your husband off. Better yet go back to him. We washed our hands of this the day you got married."

Jacob pried her fingers away from his arms so he could shut Sam down. He got up and backed away from the couch. "Outside now!"

Sam looked passed Jacob. His eyes widened when he saw her clearly. "What the fuck?"

"He hurt her. She isn't calling him or ever going back."

Bella shielded her face with one of her casts. Jacob spoke softly to her. "It's okay, honey. Sam needs to know so we can make him pay. You can tell them now."

"Shouldn't she be in a hospital? You said she was bad, but this is so much worse than I imagined. Tell me Bella. Cullen really did this to you?"

Billy's voice trembled. "I have to call Charlie."

Bella found her voice, "No. Please no. I can't see him."

Paul and Seth joined them about that time. "We need to go man. There's a clusterfuck out there."

"They haven't crossed, have they?"

"No, not yet. The hot vamp..." Rachel locked eyes with Paul, "Uhh, I mean the blonde bitchy one, and the doctor won't let him cross, but the little witch is encouraging them to all break the treaty. She says we broke it first kidnapping Bella. It's a standoff and I don't think it's going to end well."

"Answer me, please. What happened to you?"

Bella uncrossed her arms. Jacob didn't have the chance to find real clothes for her. He draped her in a thin sheet before they took off. She let the cover fall at her waist and the thin gown showed more than he wanted them to see before the explanations were out of the way.

A loud horrified gasp escaped all the onlooker's lips at once.

"She's bitten. Fuck, Black."

"Oh my God. Paul. I'm afraid." Rachel opened her arms and ran to Paul.

"There's a bunch of bite marks. You brought her here like that. Now I know you've lost your grip with reality."

"Would everyone shut up for a second. Look at her. She was bitten. Yes, but Bells is hurt not dangerous; she needs our protection."

"How? That's impossible. Either you die or turn."

"Well, obviously she's neither dead nor a vamp. Look at her. She's clearly alive, the same Bella we've always known." He hoped, but saying she was the same felt like a lie. "I can't go into it all right now. We have to get rid of these fucking leeches once and for all. Bella's not the threat. You know who is." He put his hand on Billy's shoulder. "Dad, Rach. Bella's staying here. She needs to rest and Sue's on the way."

Sam grabbed Jacob's arm. "No, not yet. I want to hear it from her. How is this possible Bella? The truth."

Jacob looked at Bella. She would only look into his eyes, no one else's. She was too fragile. He feared Sam was going to push her too far, and she'd have another episode. Sam intimidated her. She thought he hated her. Jacob knew it wasn't hate, more like resentment. It wasn't her fault. The Cullens were here before Bella. He would've changed with or without her presence. They all would have.

"Sam, leave her alone. Ask me the questions."

It seemed like Sam was going to back down and go with Jacob. They had troubles at the treaty line. Bella's situation could be discussed later. They were all lined up to leave. Sam's hand was on the door when Bella said the unthinkable.

"No one knows for certain. Jacob tells you what he wants to believe. I'm a mystery. Carlisle said so many times while I slept. I heard them. Edward said it's dormant, but could come out any second. I'm a walking time bomb, full of Edward's venom. Jacob shouldn't have brought me here. When I transform, I'll be uncontrollable. That's why those creeps in Italy desired me. I have powers. I'll be like some super vampire unleashed on this reservation. You don't want that Sam. I don't want that. People I care about live here. The hows and whys no longer matter. I was wrong to get involved with the Cullens and I'm ready to accept my punishment. You're the only one capable of ending this nightmare before tragedy strikes. I was wrong to ask Jake. It's you Sam. You and I crossed paths long ago. It's our destiny. Think of Emily."

Jacob was in utter shock. No way did she just say all the crap to Sam. Bella pushed herself off the Black's sofa. He half expected to tumble over considering her condition hours before, but that wasn't the case. She stood steady and confident. Bella extended those plaster covered arms.

"I'm ready. Take me. End this. The trouble with the Cullens will disappear with me. I refuse to be the bargaining chip any longer."

"Everybody back away!" Sam shouted.

Jacob rushed in between Bella and Sam.

"You especially, Jacob. Go to the line. Stall them. Bella, come with me."

Rachel cried out again for Paul. She was a sobbing mess over this initiation into the supernatural. He couldn't be distracted by anything not his sister, his father or his desire to fight Edward. Bella asked Sam for an execution and he was primed to carry out this death sentence she ordered for herself. Jacob saw it in his alpha's eyes. Uncertainty. Panic. The wolf.

He pleaded with his eyes for her to take it back. Jacob extended his arms, essentially pushing Bella away so she couldn't get closer to Sam.

"It's a fucking lie Sam. She isn't dangerous. Bella's just upset. With good reason. Honey. Let us help you. It doesn't have to be this way. Tell him the actual truth."

"Move aside Black. I made a vow to protect. So did you. Stop letting your emotions cloud your judgment. We don't know what the Cullens were up to. There's too many unknowns. Bella just admitted this to us. This seems like a wild experiment gone wrong. I won't risk human lives."

"Bella is a human life! She admitted nothing. You're a goddamn coward Uley. Bella is a victim not a monster. If you think you're taking her out of this house, you've got another thing coming. You'll have to go through me. You. Won't. Win. You know it. That's where your biggest fear resides, that you're second best."

"Jacob. Calm down son. Sam's your brother, your leader. He gave you the choice a long time ago. We were all there and remember what you said."

"Stay out of this Dad. I'm sorry, but I'm positive you don't agree with Sam about this. Think of Charlie."

"Move Jacob. I'm done hurting people." She clamped down on his arm and her grip was firm. He was almost certain her arms were no longer broken. The blood had moved through her and Bells was healing physically. Fast. She was skinny and pale still, but stronger by the second.

"Bells. Tell them the truth."

"I did."

Paul and Seth moved closer. The Black's house wasn't that big. Jacob felt like he was suffocating in their tiny living room. Everyone was against him, even Bells and he was willing to fight for her life. Again. Jacob never stopped fighting for her.

Sam touched him to break his trance with Bella. Jacob exploded not in the wolf way. He lost control of his emotions and bitter truths spewed out of his mouth. It hurt even more to say them out loud, but they needed to hear everything. "He raped her! The venom's gone. It's all in the book. Read the fucking book. Edward Cullen took Bella to an island. He bit her, drank her blood, raped her and tried to kill her. Carlisle Cullen is trying to cover it up, but he admits Bella can't turn. There's no dormant venom. The doctor searched for it and it's not there. Our war is with the Cullens and all their kind! Bella has a temporary death wish because of what he did to her, but we're going to get her some help."

Jacob didn't have a second to judge their reactions to the absolute truth about what really happened to Bella. A hard smack on his back sent him flying. He landed halfway across the room on his ass. He shook his head to get his bearings. What the hell did he miss? All the guys were in front of him not behind him.

Then everything and nothing made sense. Bella was standing there, fists clinched, breathing heavily, tremors running through her, but obviously on the verge of crying. She screamed at him. "Don't Jacob! You had no right. I never said..." That's all she got out before she broke down and fell onto the couch. Billy's hand hovered over her, but Jacob shook his head. Bella wailed into the cushions. Her entire body shook with emotion. Rachel took a step toward her. Paul raised his arm like a guardrail.

"No. Did you see that? She's turning. I'm sorry man. This shit is all kinds of fucked up, but I'm with Sam. We don't know what she is. Better safe than sorry."

Jacob jumped to his feet.

"It's not what you think."

"What are we supposed to think?"

"Go take care of your pack Sam, but stay the hell away from Bella or else."

"You're part of my pack."

"Not anymore. Get out."

"Make me because I don't plan to leave without her."

And that was Jacob's breaking point. He had the presence of mind to charge and shove Sam through the door before they both exploded into their wolves. Shards of wood and glass blew every direction.

Sam roared for submission, other voices screamed inside his head. He heard the pack plead with him to stop, but Bella's cries were the loudest. He would do whatever he had to do since this was all for her. She had given up, begged for death, but Jacob was prepared to take his onetime brother down because no matter what any of them thought, her life still mattered. It mattered so much to Jacob.

~Thanks for reading.

I'm sure you have questions or thoughts about this. This is so emotional to write. I'll probably update the sexy jungle one next. LOL!