~Fanfic readers always picking on Bella. LOL! I understand, but she rarely gets the benefit of the doubt in wolf fic. It's funny. This story is already far from canon, but I'm about to play with history even more. One, because it challenges my imagination and two, because I can. Happy reading.

Chapter 20

Bella

Her throat tensed. Her tongue felt too big for her mouth. Bella was in the throes of a full-blown panic attack. What had she just said? Crazy stuff that wasn't exactly the truth, but her anger overwhelmed her to the point anything that popped into her mind came out of her mouth. Now she wasn't speaking, only gasping for breaths that barely allowed enough oxygen into her lungs.

Jacob came back with water and a paper bag. She obeyed his commands even though it'd serve him right if she refused his aid and died in his arms over the pain he was sure to cause her. God, she was dramatic, but this was her worst nightmare. If Bella was completely honest and someone asked her what her worst fear was before the newborn battle, she would have admitted Jacob imprinting and not caring about her was petrifying. It wasn't that they could all die. She didn't care how selfish it sounded even though she was back with Edward by the time she understood imprinting. Imagining Jacob taken from her by some unknown woman was a cruel joke. He was her sun, and Bella didn't want him to shine for anyone else.

He'd proven himself these months and the thought of an imprint had faded, but that was her false hope. Those images should be clearer than ever now with the information he'd withheld. Bella lashed out at him but it wasn't his fault. When it happened, he wouldn't be able to help himself. Her rational brain retreated. None of that mattered. She was still mad as hell.

"Get away from me. I'm fine," she sipped the cool water which did nothing to calm her burning rage.

"Are you sure? You were choking or hyperventilating, maybe both."

"I'm fine except for the fact you will soon leave me all alone and I fall completely apart. What did Alice say? I was so overwrought I stumbled. Sounds pretty crippling."

"Sounds like a load of horse shit, you mean. You fucking know me like you said and I'd never walk away from you."

"You won't be able to stop." Bella reached for his shoulders which were squared off facing the wall. She gave him a little shake, "Look at me, Jacob." He'd avoided her eye contact since the huge bombshell in Rose's letter. He finally looked at her straight on. "It's true, isn't it? You'll imprint. Oh my God, have you already?"

"NO! What the hell, Bells? First, I'm going to drop you like garbage crumbled on the floor, and now I'm living a lie with you while I have an imaginary imprint on the side? Think for a second, honey. Remember what our lives have been like all these months. We're inseparable, completely in-sync with each other. Do these things mean anything to you?"

She hesitated while the memories flashed through her mind. Of course, they meant something. Their new life together was everything. He saved her from her miserable self. That is why the thought of losing Jacob was the most unbearable pain Bella had ever endured. Most people would imagine she'd suffered way worse, but she knew it wasn't true. Those minutes reading the letter shredded her soul. She felt incomplete now.

Her voice cracked, "Yes, of course, they do. I can't help it, I'm saying anything that comes into my mind. And I'm sorry. I don't hate you. I should have never mentioned him. That was a low blow. The truth is I love you so much, I can't imagine what it will be like to lose you."

"You won't. Please, honey. You need to believe me."

"Then why are you afraid? I can see it. Something has you spooked beyond Edward's callous last words."

"Bells…"

"No, tell me. If we are going to salvage anything from our relationship there has to be complete honesty."

Jacob said they were dreams. He changed the word to nightmares, but Bella hadn't noticed restless sleep from him in months. A woman was in his dreams. She called him by name and he was afraid.

"I keep running away."

"But that's not what scares you, is it?"

He shook his head. "I have this need to stay with her, like she's important."

"Do you have any idea who she is?"

"No."

"I sense a but…"

"She's Quileute."

"Of course, she is," Bella snapped at him again. A crazy pale face like her would never be his imprint especially after what Edward did to her. She was an outsider and damaged goods. The future chief of the Quileute Nation needed a proper mate.

"Bells, it's a fucking dream. It's not real."

"Are you in love with her?"

"What the fuck kind of question is that? No, I'm not. I don't know her; she is a figment of my imagination. I've never even seen her face."

"You want to."

He didn't answer her right away, "I don't know, maybe. I guess so. There's something about her- the way she says my name. It's haunting, but beautiful and I hurt every time I flee her."

"I have to get out of here." Bella stood up and grabbed Jacob's keys. He told her no that he would leave if she needed space. "No, I have something to do, but I appreciate you telling about the dreams. They mean something; I'm sure of it."

"Wait, Bells, please don't go. You're not thinking straight. It's almost ten. You haven't driven since…"

"I still know how to drive and me not thinking straight is my entire life."

"Fuck, woman. You're frustrating as hell. It's not about your ability to drive. Tell me where you need to go and let me take you then. Is it Charlie's? Do you want to go home tonight?"

"I thought this was my home. You were supposed to be my home for the rest of our lives."

"It is. I am."

"Please Jacob, I'm not stupid. You'll follow me when I leave, but at least let me pretend I'm on my own. Quit proving what a helpless stupid bitch I am."

"You aren't, but fine. Put your coat and shoes on. It's March and hardly warm enough for bare feet."

Bella hoped it wasn't too late, but a few things replayed through her mind. He knew things. Why had she and Jacob never pressed him? Jacob normally played it off as senility, but Bella thought it was something else. Maybe Jake was afraid for Bella to ask questions just in case the subject of imprinting came up.

She parked the Rabbit in front of the house and was relieved a light was on in the living room. She got out of the car and took the few steps to get to the front door. Her hand was raised to knock when the door swung open.

"Child, it's late and you're alone."

"Yes, sir. I have some questions."

"Of course, I've been waiting for this day. Come inside. Ask the questions. I have all the answers you seek."

She didn't know if they were good or bad answers, but Bella had learned to trust Old Quil. This was how she would find out if Jacob was truly hers or if she had to let him go.

Bella didn't mince words. She didn't even wait for the old man to shuffle back to his favorite chair. "Jacob has an imprint, and it's not me."

He made a few straining noises as he bent over and fell back into the recliner. Old Quil looked at Bella, shook his head then he chuckled. She couldn't imagine what was humorous about her declaration. He must not have heard her right.

"No, I'm serious. I have questions about Jacob's imprintee."

Old Quil laughed harder, "What imprint? Young Jacob never imprinted. Believe me, I know what happened with my grandson. He was messed up for weeks. It took a long time for him to gain acceptance and understand little Claire needs him. He is her protector. Her family has issues, you know. This hasn't happened to Jacob, or we'd all know."

Bella knew little about Quil's imprint. It was so strange to her at first, but Quil was like a surrogate father now. Claire's mother had to get a restraining order against Claire's father and Quil had threatened his life about leaving the family alone. Other than that, Bella didn't ask many questions since she had enough trouble keeping her own life balanced.

She needed to clear up what she meant, "There's more to the story. I just found out that Edward spoke to Jacob before his demise. He said Jake will leave me for an imprint. They had a seer, Alice Cullen. I'm sure you heard about her. She saw me upset and alone."

"What did Jacob say?"

"He said it's bullshit and will never happen. But he's distressed when he talks about it."

"So you believe this cold one that brutalized your fragile human body and soul over Jacob, the most noble and powerful Quileute warrior since Taha Aki?"

His words took her breath a second. Bella had never heard Jacob described that way. She stuttered, "It… it's not about believing."

"It's not?"

"No. I believe Jacob means he doesn't want to and will do everything in his power to fight it, but you've seen the others. Fighting the imprint is impossible."

"Search your feelings, Bella. You have to release that hold the cold one has on you. We're nearing the end of the cleansing, but you are still giving him power over your life."

Bella shivered. She heard something evil speak words to her, and she waved her hands over her ears to make the voice cease. She turned around to see no one was there. "I've already let so much go."

"Yes, you have, but not everything. I need you to do that for me right now so I can tell you the real story. Get the incense, stoke up the fire, and put on the tea that we use for the ritual. You and I are about to embark on a journey together."

Bella did as Old Quil asked. The entire time she prepared the tea, the imaginary voice haunted her. She wasn't sure what it whispered. She shook her head and there was silence again. The voice wasn't real. A reflection out the window caught her eye. He was there. She knew that all along. Bella quickly looked away from Jacob's wolf at the edge of the woods. She had to do this alone not with him by her side. If Jacob was bound to leave her, Bella had to learn to survive without him or she might as well give up that second.

Bella handed Old Quil his tea before having a seat on the sofa. He retrieved a flask from the small table between them and poured a generous portion into his cup. "Here, you too. This time you need a little extra than herbs."

He poured a heaping amount into her mug. The pungent scent warmed her nostrils when she brought the tea to her lips. She wasn't a drinker, and wasn't sure what he'd just added to her tea, but she should pace herself.

"First off, I owe you an apology."

"What? No, you don't. You've been incredibly generous and helpful. Jacob and I appreciate everything you've done for us."

"Well, I must confess, I doubted. Age hasn't been the best to me and a few years ago, I wasn't doing so well health wise. It was too strenuous to interfere, and I'd let my grief harden my heart, so I never attempted to get you away from the clutches of the coven. I believed if they attracted you so easily, then everything Sarah once told me was in her imagination. You were not the one."

"Sarah? Jacob's mother said something about me? Why? I was under the impression I barely knew her; I certainly don't remember her. I remember so little about Forks during my childhood."

"That's what we're going to change. Our memories never leave us. You have to know where to retrieve them and you knew Sarah Black well. She watched you all the time. You loved her dearly and her, you."

"I'm sorry. I think you're mistaken. My father would have said so if that was the case or Billy would have mentioned it."

He asked her why Jacob didn't tell her what Edward said and she rolled her eyes with the word protecting. "Yes, sometimes we protect the ones we love the only way we know how and sometimes we go about it the wrong way. Charlie and Billy protected their children how they thought was best. I cautioned them when you came back; you and Jacob deserved the truth."

Bella was so confused. She came to Old Quil for answers, but he talked in circles. Jacob warned her about the old man's confusion and wild imagination. He seemed fine earlier in the day.

"How much do you remember about your parents' divorce?"

"Um, nothing. I was a baby. Mom took me to California. I saw Dad when he could get away which wasn't much."

"No, not the story you were told. Search your memories, Isabella. Think. Take another sip of tea. Your mind is powerful; it's your confidence that's weak."

"Are you saying I was lied to by my parents?"

"Only you can know for sure. Close your eyes and visualize Charlie Swan's home, the Black's place, First Beach, La Push, Forks, Washington state. Think about the places you know. Let the feelings flow, stop fighting it even if you're afraid. There's pain ahead. I won't lie, but you're a survivor. You're strong enough."

Bella closed her eyes and let the words sink in. Old Quil was a wise man; she trusted her instincts. He wasn't crazy at all. She'd sensed his intuitive nature many times. After a few minutes of concentration, she felt as if she'd risen from her seat and floated into the air without stopping. Her mind wandered and her spirit hovered. Brief snapshots in time flashed before her. Some filled her with love, others panic, one horror, so she settled with the first one.

The room was blurry at first, but then it slowly became clearer. There was a woman. Mother. Not hers, it was Jacob's mother. Sarah was on the floor playing with two children, one baby boy and a little girl. The little girl turned her head and Bella gasped. She was staring into big brown eyes of a girl not more than three or four-years-old. It was her young self. Bella was reliving a memory.

Old Quil cautioned her to keep her mind open. He said her mind closes easily. She had no idea how he knew what she was seeing, but she tried her best to stay in that room at the Black's. Sarah stood up to answer a ringing telephone. Bella stayed focus on the tiny children.

She smiled. Jacob was always beautiful. Baby Jacob was blessed with tons of black hair that was already growing down the back of his neck and the same bright grin he had to this day. They were so happy and content. Tiny Bella jabbered on nonstop. Gosh, she was bossy to him. They had toys in between them on the floor. It looked like a wooden building set. Some pieces were painted bright colors. The girl was building a tower and occasionally Jacob would wave his arms like he wanted to knock it down. The little girl wiggled her fingers in front of him and he stopped. Wow, Bella wished Jacob was still that obedient. She laughed out loud but didn't open her eyes. She couldn't lose this vision. Something told her it was important even though it seemed like simple playtime.

Sarah walked the phone around the corner to continue her conversation. Bella studied the children more intently. Jacob handed Bella a blue block. She shook her head and waved her hand again in front of his face again.

For some reason, the grown Bella whispered a word out loud, "Yellow, give her the yellow piece."

Little Bella wanted the yellow one, and it was crazy she knew that. That is when the scene got freaky. She heard the little girl say, "yellow" in her mind. Her lips didn't move. Bella was sure she heard her, but she wasn't the only one. He heard her too. Jacob handed the yellow block to her. There were more thoughts between the children. It was a simple conversation, but neither one opened their mouths. Jacob had to be a little over a year old so he probably didn't know many words, but he knew everything Bella said to him. They understood each other, but how?

Was she losing her mind? They weren't talking, but the communication was evident. Bella glanced to the corner of the room to see Sarah's intense gaze at the children. She witnessed the same thing. The phone crashing to the floor snapped her out of it, and Bella was transported back to the room with Old Quil in an instant.

"See anything important?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure that it was real." Surely, Old Quil hadn't given Bella a hallucinogenic.

"It was. Trust me, child. Sarah brought the two of you here plenty of times, so I could observe. I didn't want to believe it either and I'm supposed to be a spiritual leader for the tribe. We were both mesmerized and confused."

Bella realized something important that moment. "I can't do this…"

"Of course, you can. You're doing it."

"No, I mean. I thought I had to hear this stuff on my own, but I need Jacob. I have to get him. This is about him too. He needs to be here with me."

"Oh, yes, well, I'm sure you know how to find him quickly."

"Of course, I do. He's a few feet away in the woods. Hold on. I need to put some more tea on. This might take all night."

Jacob had a seat. He looked tentatively at Bella and Old Quil. Bella passed the tea she made for Jacob over to Mr. Quil. He emptied the flask in Jacob's mug.

"Hold on. That was a waste. Alcohol doesn't affect me."

"Drink boy and pay attention."

Jacob took a huge swallow and gagged immediately. He coughed and carried on before asking Bella how the hell she was drinking that. She shrugged. It was strong, but she'd been taking the slightest sips and it warmed her from the inside out.

"That's not booze. You're giving us jet fuel. What is that shit?"

"Never mind, secret family recipe. Bella needs you to focus with her. I'll tell you what I told her. Her mind is powerful, more so than any of us can understand, but Isabella has let fear consume her. She will block you easily, so you have to gain her full trust."

Bella wondered how she could show these things to Jacob if she battled with that exact thing. Trust. She was still afraid he'd leave her.

"Bells, I'm not sure what he's been filling your mind with, but if it's not that imprinting is rare, you probably need to ignore it. Quil will be here soon since his patrol is over. Let's go home and maybe revisit this tomorrow."

"Quil won't be home tonight. He's at Claire's. Her mama was upset about something. Just read his text while Bella was letting you inside. And you know as well as I do, we're all wide awake right now. You have to face the pain just like she does. I'm sorry, but it happened to both of you and it's the only way you'll move on and be happy. Together."

Old Quil looked at Bella, "That's right. I said together because you and Jacob won't separate. Nothing will tear you apart. There is no imprint."

"I love you Mr. Quil and I trust you, but you don't know the future."

"True, but I know history and Jacob can't imprint because he already has something bigger. He has it with you. There's not a word for it. I can't explain it with a legend or folklore. Believe me, I tried. Sarah and I combed through the history books and the archives. But that doesn't make it any less real. Show him. Take Jacob's hands, close your eyes and show him how you were as children."

Bella wasn't even sure how she saw that scene earlier. She had no idea how to explain it to Jacob without sounding crazy. There was her self-doubt again.

"Isabella Marie Swan! Enough. Drop the covering inside your mind. Let Jacob see. You never lost the ability to show him; no one else shares your mind. I promise. It's only between the two of you since the beginning."

Bella spoke to him first, "Jacob, I'm not sure why, but our parents covered up how close we were as children. That was the first thing I found out when I got here tonight. Remember when we talked about our childhoods? We both said things were so fuzzy and we barely remembered being small."

"Yeah, but it could be normal. Memories fade. I wanted to remember my mom better, and I tried so hard many times, but I just couldn't."

"I know, but you were nine. You should remember more. I was even older, so there's no reason except we both blocked it on purpose to spare ourselves."

"What are you talking about Bells?"

Bella remembered the flashes of memories that played like a fast-forwarded movie when she settled on that memory of playing blocks with Jacob. It was just a millisecond glance, but she knew there was no way it hadn't happened. She could have never invented that scenario.

"I was there, Jake. So were you. We were witnesses," she felt warm tears stream down her cheeks. This was going to hurt him so bad because it was already shredding her.

"Witnesses to what?"

"To Sarah's death. We saw it happen and I'm so sorry, Jake. I have to take you back there with me."

~Thanks for reading.

Plot twist.

More to come soon. I'm trying to get all my ideas down as this story is winding down in my head, but there's still plenty more to come.