Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed their Holidays this December! Mine went great! My boyfriend this year decided to list things down that I said I wanted throughout the year and he got some neat stuff for me! He got me grip controllers for my Nintendo Switch, a laptop fan that I set my laptop on with different settings because my laptop gets super hot whenever I'm on it. He got me a whole bunch of acne stuff that includes an electric face scrubber, and an electric pore suction thing. It like… sucks up dirt and black heads from your nose. It really hurts… but it works! Him and I have used the acne stuff. It's a whole kit with 6 different things to use. All that requires directions and they are used in Steps. Like you have to use one product first, then the other, and it ends in a face mask. Him and I had fun using that this past weekend and Christmas night. He's amazing. Him and I have been together for seven years. No, no. We are not engaged. I told him I have to get an acceptance letter from a veterinarian school before he is allowed to propose. And I also said that if the "Turning Pages" song from Twilight isn't playing while he proposes to me, then I'll say no. (Jokingly… not really) That's enough about me!

I hope you liked the last chapter. Bella, tsk tsk tsk. You just don't know what to feel anymore. Thank you so much to my viewers and to inesgassin, WithLove x me, DeannaN, and Guest for leaving reviews! I think that will now continue to be a normal thing to give shoutouts to anyone who reviews the previous chapter! I love each and every review.

I am not Stephenie Meyer. All rights to these characters and to the Twilight Saga go to her! Enjoy!(:

Chapter 44: Panic

POV: Jacob (Gotta fill in the missing gaps obviously)

*PSA* Hello, When I posted the new chapter, I had to update the ending of it. I forgot to add the ending of Jacob picking up Bella from the Cullens, so make sure you go back and read it if you were one of the few early readers. It's important for this chapter! (Most of you have already read the updated ending. But the first 6 viewers who clicked on it never saw it.)

"See you at the funeral." I smirked at her as she headed inside carrying the bag that held the gorgeous black dress that she had picked out for prom. I could imagine it on her, with her slim figure, her beautiful chestnut brown hair flowing over her shoulders as she twirled around in the dress and reattaching her latch onto my shoulders. Dancing together slowly to the song. If Bella and I had something in common other than our fantastic sense of humor, it would be that we both cannot dance.

Her last prom enlightened me of that, as we swayed slowly back and forth in the same spot; not actually following the rhythm of the music. Just talking, and gazing at each other, until that leach had stepped in, stealing her away. What even is it with that Cullen guy anyways, I had thought at the time. Unknowing what he was, except for the skeptics that I had been told through stories of them. Not that I believed they were true at the time, but he always had some strange thing about him that had made no sense to me.

I drove the rabbit home, parking it in the garage. I could hear the engine sputtering; knowing that I would need to work on that later when I had time.

My appetite had spiked significantly but it was already late, and I needed to run patrols until the late morning. I ran inside my house for a quick snack, scavenging through the fridge that was understocked. I knew that money was tight for Billy, and I had felt bad for not helping him with that. He understood that with school along with pack duties, it was near impossible for me to get a job, even though I was of the age to be able to apply for one.

Billy was already asleep, so the house was dark and quiet, besides the glow of the fridge. I made a quick turkey sandwich and tiptoed out of the house after I had finished it, closing the door quietly to not awaken him.

Jake? Sam asked

Jake, hey man, welcome back. Seth thought enthusiastically.

Had a fun time following your girlfriend around? Leah chimed in.

The rabbit didn't crap out on you? Surprising. Paul nudged.

Sorry, I'm late. I replied, had to grab a bite to eat.

You missed it, man. Emily had a whole buffet for us. It was huge! Yeah, we had ham, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob.

Shit… sounds amazing. I could hear my stomach growling. The sandwich didn't help to overcome my appetite. They had imagined the giant meal in the kitchen of Emily and Sam's house. It was mouthwatering to say the least. It didn't help the aching feeling I had that induced nausea from the hunger I was fighting.

Oops, sorry, dude! I didn't mean to…

It's fine Seth. I can grab a quick rabbit or something out here.

Gross.

Sorry, princess. Didn't know nature wasn't good enough for you.

Enough, Jacob. You run the north patrol with Paul. Leah, and Seth, you head South and then meet towards the East.

Seth needs to go home, Sam. He's been running all night while Mr. Favorite has been playing tag with his leech lover.

I growled at her in my head, imagining how easy it would be to snap her lengthy but small neck with my jaw. Seth winced at the image that formed in my head. I had felt bad that he had to see that, but I was more amused by Leah's annoyed reaction to it.

That's enough Jacob. Seth, go home. Leah, you can run patrols South by yourself, correct?

Obviously. Seriously, the lack of faith in me is insulting.

It's not lack of faith, Leah. I just—

Why don't you stop worrying about me? You made it pretty clear that you had no interest for my wellbeing anymore.

Sam didn't reply in his thoughts after Leah replayed the breakup in her head again between her and Sam and then finding out about him going after her cousin, Emily. She hadn't understood why he left her at the time. She believed her and Sam were in love and destined to be married. Leah didn't realize the truth behind the incident until she had joined the pack. The incident of imprinting. Sam whimpered at the playback scenes.

Grow up, Leah.

Why don't you just go follow your leech lover home.

Stop calling her that! I said, raising the intensity of my words in my thoughts.

Thinking of Bella had triggered me to rethink the events of today when meeting Bella and her friends at the dress store where two of them, who I had forgotten their names already, had helped me pick out a tux. I noticed Malia talking to Bella and Angela and me walking over to them, causing Malia to lash out on Bella and I. I chuckled in my head at the thought of when Malia had punched me in the face; how painless it was. I will say, her strike would have possibly knocked a weaker man out. She had fire in that shot, but it didn't affect me. Not now that I am who I am now.

Wow, you just let her punch you like that? Paul thought, taunting me.

What did you expect me to do? Lose my self-control and shift in front of her? I jabbed at him back, reminding him of the day he had lost his own control when Bella had punched him in the face. Reenacting the scene in my head of his own immaturity. I don't try to bite back like you do.

Sam had winced at the thought of his own time he had lost control in front of Emily, causing him to leave the horrendous claw marks across her face.

Nice going douche bag.

Hey! Don't call Jacob that.

Seth! Sam told you to go home. You need to sleep. Have you even caught up on your homework?

Shut up, Leah. You aren't my mom!

You're right. I'm your older sister who is in charge of you. Phase back and get the hell home, now.

Fine! Seth's thoughts went mute.

They just keep getting younger. Sam thought.

Oh, forgot the old wise alpha was so much better than us.

Give it a rest, Leah and get over yourself. I said back to her.

I said that is enough. Go run your patrols now! Sam urged us. It wasn't an alpha command. It was more of a leader telling his troops to do their jobs. Sam never liked using his unbreakable alpha commands on us because he never liked to manipulate us in that way. It was only ever used for the most important matters, such as keeping the secret.

Paul and I met up at the North perimeter, flanking the trees up and down, scavenging around for any sign of the red head returning. It had been a long time since she decided to come back. We hadn't seen her since the night that Harry had the heart attack and when I had dragged Bella from the ocean near the cliff sides. We weren't giving up though. We had plans to find her and take her down before she could find her way past us. Before she could find Bella. Our job as a pack and wolves were to protect the tribe from vampires whose intentions were to feed on the citizens of Forks, but for me, it wasn't about that anymore. It was about keeping Bella safe.

Paul snarled at me for my thoughts on my loyalties to the mission. He had no real ill thoughts for Bella, but he was generally more annoyed that I was so intrigued with her when I could just find my imprint and actually have a real reason to want to protect a girl that I loved. It was no different to me though. If I could say for my own certainty, Bella was an imprint for myself. I know that by the weird mystical of the pack legends that Bella wasn't necessarily my real imprint, but my love for her felt real enough to me.

I found a lone rabbit that was chewing on some of the dryer vegetation under the broad tree that cascaded over a large footing area. I was starving, immensely. I didn't mind hunting wildlife when I was in this form, but it wasn't necessarily intriguing to eat anything raw. Luckily, my wolf form was able to fall to its own instincts and handle the mess itself.

I felt like a predator, hiding behind the bushes near the tree that held the rabbit underneath it. Paul chuckled at me in my thoughts as I imagined myself latching my jaw around the rabbit.

You're not gonna catch it, my dude. Those things are fast.

Yeah, but they can go into shock if I scare it half to death.

You aren't going to scare anything looking like a teddy bear.

I gritted my teeth towards him and launched myself over the bush. The rabbit did what I had thought it would. It had fallen over in a ray of fear and shock, and I latched my jaws around its body— crushing its bones between my teeth.

My shift had ended and I desperately headed to Emily's house to meet up with the rest of the pack, other than Jared, Quil, and Embry, for breakfast. The degenerates had already made a dent in the meal before I had finally shown up, but it was enough to curve my appetite. She had prepared several breakfast casseroles that contained eggs and venison, along with two baskets of banana nut muffins and biscuits piled on top of each other. Having the night shift wasn't all that bad, especially when night shift included a complimentary breakfast made by one of the best cooks on the rez. I couldn't deny that I was exhausted, though. I hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours since my day yesterday included school on top of driving to Seattle. I was relieved that it was finally the weekend and we didn't have to worry about attending classes today.

"You guys did good last night. Especially you, Leah. I was impressed that you handled the South perimeter on your own," Sam interjected while stuffing his mouth with one of the biscuits. He leaned into Emily who had her face pressed against his chest.

"Thanks," Leah replied, getting up from her seat at the table, grabbing another muffin. She was promiscuously annoyed by Sam's lack of confidence in her before. I knew it bothered Leah that Sam didn't believe she could handle patrolling on her own, especially requiring her to babysit Seth each time. She wasn't actually opposed to babysitting Seth. She enjoyed being able to watch out for him and being able to delegate his time. Sam had offered her that responsibility of the pack when it came to Seth. He allowed that because he had felt bad for what he had done to her and giving her that responsibility and control over Seth's hours was his own way of giving back to her.

"Well, I'm glad you guys are enjoying breakfast," Emily said, smiling warmly at all of us. She moved away from Sam after she noticed Leah's glare at her. Emily retreated towards the table, picking up the discarded dish pans that were left bare and continued to clean up the mess.

"So, Jacob. You scared about that party at the Cullen house?" Paul snorted at me.

"Why would I be scared?" I said, annoyed at him.

"Any of those bloodsuckers could show up and swoop Bella away." Paul started to chuckle, looking down at his plate stabbing at another bite of the casserole. "It's not like it would be hard. She is a leech lover, anyway."

"Shut the fuck up, Paul," I gritted my teeth at him, letting a low growl rumble in my throat.

"It is odd, though. To have a party there," Emily said, continuing to scrub the empty casserole dish. She was using a scraper to grind at the burnt crusts that were left at the rim of the dish, causing an uncomfortable sound to quake through our ears. "Are you guys sure that none of them are back?"

"The invitation is just from some high school kid at Forks. I'm not too worried," I replied back at her, scooping up some of the casserole inside of several biscuits. "The house is vacant and secluded. So, it's a pretty perfect place to throw an underage party at."

"Yeah, I guess…" Emily replied, still scraping at the rim of the dish. "Are they going to be drinking at the party?"

"Said so on the invitation."

"I'm sure the party is fine. If we sense any suspicious activity or trespassers in Forks, then we will cross over to their territory and clean up the problem." Sam said, in an assuring tone. I don't know how the concept of werewolves walking into a high school party would come across, but I'm sure it would be a sight for their drunk eyes.

"Really? You aren't just a little worried about it?" Paul interjected. "You have us run patrols all night and all day, sometimes for over forty-eight hours, but you find a party at the Cullen house to be just 'fine?"

"I don't enjoy crossing over on their territory unless it is dire need, and you know that."

Seth walked in through the kitchen door soon after, stretching his arms in the air; cracking his back and yawning. "Wow, way to save enough for me."

"I have a new dish in the oven just for you, big guy," Emily said, smiling at him. A streak of blush brightened his cheeks at her flattery. Sam chuckled at Emily's words when she used them towards Seth. If anyone was the big guy in the pack, it definitely wasn't Seth.

Leah had leaned over on the table to grab a muffin and then tossed it over at Seth.

"Banana Nut muffin? Awh, c'mon. There isn't any chocolate or blueberry or something?"

"Banana Nut muffins have protein, Seth. It's good for a growing boy like yourself," Leah joked at him, condescendingly.

"Shut up, Leah…" Seth replied, embarrassingly through his teeth.

"No hating on the food that is being prepared by the woman feeding you, Seth," Emily replied, now drying the casserole dish with a dish towel. Sam walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her waist, kissing her on the forehead. She leaned into him, chuckling under her breath and laying her head onto his shoulder.

"Well, that's enough for me today. I'm going to get some sleep," Leah replied, dropping her napkin onto the table and pushing her chair back, causing a screech from the chair legs dragging across the floor. She stood up and walked out. Emily looked down, feeling a tad ashamed of her actions with Sam in front of Leah. But what could she do? She was in love, and that is what mattered.

"Jacob," Sam said looking down, rubbing his fingers along his chin. I won't stand in your way if you wanted to join Bella at the party. You are free to enter their territory. I just don't feel comfortable myself for it."

"No, it's fine. Bella is going with Angela. She'll have a good time without me there. Besides, who else is going to run the perimeter tonight keeping our town safe." I smirked at him.

"Apparently Leah can," Paul said, laughing out loud, poking at me. No one else joined in on the outburst from him, but it did create a few small smiles.

"You should really invite Bella over again for lunch some time, Jacob. I would love to get to know her some more. Is she available right now?" Emily asked me, with kindness in her voice. I know she supported my relationship with Bella unlike the rest of them. Imprints are what mattered to the pack for our increased genetic upbringings. But Emily was always kind and pushed for our relationship. She knew the dangers of what would happen to Bella and me if I did end up imprinting. But she never shielded her eyes from love.

"She's coming to the rez tomorrow. I invited her for a game of soccer with the pack," I looked over at Sam, gleaming at him.

"Yeah, might need a few more soccer balls for that one." He replied, "But I think we can work it out."

"Hell, yeah! Soccer? Why didn't anyone tell me," Seth jumped up, joining in the conversation.

"It's not just regular soccer Seth. It's playing ball," Paul chuckled at him, looking back and forth at me and Sam.

"Playing ball?" Seth's eyebrow raised in confusion. We all stared at him, continuing to smile. "Oh," Seth finally put two and two together. "We are playing 'ball!' Like… like dogs?"

"Well, dogs that can understand the rules of the game, yes," Sam reiterated, having us join in with another laugh together. We talked about the rules with Seth and how we would have to play soft with the ball, and not clench it too tight with our jaws. Not that we are supposed to carry it around, considering soccer is about using our feet. So, claws were also a factor that we had to warn Seth about, to never dig into it when we kick it around. Fighting with each other flags fouls, but it's expected from our hormonal nature. We explained different positions, but he already understood that from playing the game regularly in human form. Emily was assigned to be our referee, and to hang out with Bella while we played.

It was an exciting time to show Bella that being a wolf isn't all about work and serious issues. That we also could enjoy our time during it, such as when I had carried her on my back running through the woods to the meadow. When she held onto me and trusted me when I was showing off for her. I wanted her to enjoy the life, the life I could give her. I know I'm just a sixteen-year-old boy, but I know I have what it takes to offer Bella what she needs. I hoped so, at least.

I headed home to see Billy gone and not at his usual place on the couch watching whatever was on. He must have decided to go fishing with Charlie this morning, but it had made me wonder how he got there. Billy couldn't drive, but his car wasn't there in the driveway. He must have called someone to take him. I was much too exhausted to figure out the situation. I got in my bed, heaving out a heavy sigh trying to relax myself enough to fall asleep.

I wondered what Bella was up to. Most likely working on homework or browsing the web on her computer that took much too long to upload or reading one of those fancy books that would lose my attention after the first ten pages, maybe even less. She was an extraordinary girl who was too smart for this world. She deserved wherever life would take her, whether that be to a fancy school where she can live her dreams and be a journalist. Living in one of those tall sky-scraping building penthouses overlooking the crowds on the street. Then again, that wasn't her style. She'd much rather work her job at home probably. A house in the suburbs. Nothing too fancy, but it would have to be somewhere she was warm. Where the sun didn't go down till it was late and you could still feel the heat emitting on your skin in the atmosphere. Anywhere far away from here. I would go with her.

My father probably would never approve of me leaving the reservation. Leaving my potential to keep the tribe and the people safe. Not right now anyways… but I would do it for her, so she could chase her dreams, or do whatever she wanted to do in life.

I woke up, knowing my shift was going to be starting in a little over an hour, but my appetite was stopping me from shifting into wolf form. I knew there wasn't enough food in the house for myself to eat, but I prepared some refried beans and a tortilla for Billy, making him a bean burrito for whenever he got home. I knew he probably had some plans to cook whatever fish he had caught today, but I decided to make that for him just in case the fish weren't biting today. I left the house after I changed into new shorts and headed over back to Emily's who had made a roast for dinner. Quil and Embry were already chowing down while Seth was gone patrolling already with Jared. Sam was gone too, which had left Emily in a little bit of stress and worry. It's that annoying imprint thing that does to both partners. They both worry excessively about one another. It rots their minds.

"Save any for the ladies?" Leah asked walking in with Paul trailing behind her, stretching his arms out and flexing.

"I thought you were already out patrolling for the night." Quil asked.

"And I thought you were stalking that child of yours," Leah turned her nose up at him while she sat down. I rolled my eyes at her sly comment. Embry laughed out loud and nudged Quil in the arm who then tackled him to the ground.

"Stop that, the both of you." Emily yelled at the two who had their legs tied around each other, with Quil pushing Embry's face against the floor. "There's always more food, I guarantee it." Emily laid out a plate of roast for Leah and Paul.

"Thanks, Em. You're the best." Paul said, flashing a smile at the meal before he mauled it to death with his hands instead of using a fork.

"Got to feed my boys— or my animals the way you lot eat," she said, rolling her eyes with a smile as she walked away grabbing the first empty dish from where Embry and Quil were sitting. They sat up from the ground and patted each other on the shoulder, taking their seat at the table waiting for more food to be handed to them, which Emily had given to them shortly after. "So, what are your boys' schedules for the week?"

"Well, I'm running with Jacob tonight," Quil said excitingly.

"Yeah, and I had the day off. I go back and patrol tomorrow afternoon until midnight." Embry said grinning.

"Yeah? And how is school going for the two of you?" Embry and Quil both looked at each other in panic at first, knowing their grades were poor from slacking on their studies. Not that I was doing any better in particular. I just had more patrols than they did, so my free hours are usually to sleep. They both grinned at each other shortly after their small panicked faces.

"That's what I thought." Emily flattened her lips together, raising her eyebrows and nodding her head. "Sam needs to lighten up on the work for those still in high school. There are enough of you, older gentleman and ladies, to take more of the shifts," she said scowling at Leah and Paul.

"I do my part. I make sure Seth is studying and doing his homework all the time," Leah intervened after Emily's grimace at her.

"And that's good. He is fourteen. School is something he should be focusing on. But you, Jacob, Embry, and Quil, along with Jared need to focus on your studies more."

"Well that only leaves Leah, Sam and I to patrol," Paul said, stabbing at the roast with a fork now instead of his hands.

"Yeah, you guys are grownups. You three can handle more longer shifts since you three aren't in school. These other guys need shorter ones. Or days off at the least."

"Try telling Sam that. I keep having to remind him that Seth needs to go home. And not patrolling till two in the morning," Leah exclaimed rolling her eyes.

"Well I happen to enjoy my shifts. I don't mind." Quil said.

"Yeah, I'm sure you don't mind not having time to study," Emily said grimacing at him.

The bickering went back and forth on the matters, but I knew things wouldn't change. Not while we had a vampire to worry about that kept getting past us or running away too quick enough for us to catch. Emily was right though; we didn't need a whole pack to track down one vampire. Even if the red head was as quick as she was. It was a doable job; we just are having a hard time figuring out her strategy.

I knew Bella was going to be on her way to the party soon. She would meet up with Angela and they would both have a fun time together. I had wondered if Bella would partake in drinking with the rest of the high schoolers. I've never actually seen her drink before, so I wasn't sure if that was something she would do. Maybe she would for a social event, but then again, Bella going to a high school party was already pushing her limits on things she'd actually be interested in going to or doing. I was happy though for her, pushing her limits. Enjoying time that's not spent with me. Not to brag in any way, saying that she only enjoys her time with me, but her more frequent outings with Angela have been making me feel proud of her.

Angela was a very good friend to Bella. Seeing her speak up for Bella when Jessica and Lauren were out of line. Bella hadn't really mentioned it to me before that they bothered her, but clearly Angela had noticed it. Angela never seemed to be a feisty girl, or a confrontational one. Not that I knew her well besides from the car ride, but she just seems shy. Shy like Bella in a way, but Bella did have a feisty side to her. Probably why Angela liked Bella's company. Bella was sweet, kind, and didn't intrude in your business, and along with all that, Bella had a backbone.

Quil and I ran through the woods patrolling together. I had enjoyed his company more than Paul's immensely. Quil and my friendship was stronger. Not that I would say I had a good friendship with Paul. It wasn't entirely bad, but his jabs at Bella were irritating. Same with Leah and her constant brooding.

So, prom, huh?

Yeah, had to practically force her to ask me. I ran the events in my head again, even though I had already done so before. This time I imagined Bella in the dress that I had a small glimpse of. Imagining her small figure in it, with her brown chestnut hair draping over her shoulders as she glided herself around me. I couldn't stop myself at that point. Imagining her taking the dress off her body, allowing it to fall off her small waist and past her legs as it flopped onto the floor. I imagined the possible lingerie that she would wear beneath the dress, as she looked at me with her lustful and seductive gaze upon me. How I would pull her into me, embracing her body, running my hands all along her curves and wrap my fingers around her rosy nipples underneath the lace bra.

There has been an undeniable spark between us when we happen to start getting much too close to each other. The chemistry our bodies have when our hands are all over each other. I can't imagine anything other than ripping those sweats off of her body daily. Just to see what lies beneath them. I had generally a good idea. I had seen her nude once before when I had scared her in her room, but even that was just a glimpse. A glimpse I should've not cut too short on. Perky is what I would describe her breast to look like. They were perky, not too round though. Her nipples jetted out so perfectly that I could spin my tongue around on them, so deliciously.

Jacob, PLEASE, Leah said, obviously annoyed with my thoughts.

Get out of my head, damn chick. Who invited her, again?

That's enough from you, Jacob. Control your thoughts and keep your head on the patrol. Sam replied.

How perky were they, Jacob? Quil replied, laughing.

I had tried to not think of the image again, but it continued to cross my mind. I did my best to blur it though, the way that they do on adult cartoons.

Niiiice, dude. She got a twin I can have?

Shut up, Paul.

Keep your hormones under control, Jacob.

Yeah, coming from the guy who gets a little peckish after going too long without Emily.

I could hear in the thoughts of Paul's mind when Sam had lunged at him with his jaws. I laughed at it, but Quil winced. Leah didn't seem amused in any way when she had to reimagine Sam's thoughts of him fondling Emily the way he would do.

Hey, Jacob. Look, Quil said nodding over towards the sun rays trying to rise over the ocean before the sun itself had met it yet.

What? Must be like five in the morning now?

Yeah, seems like it.

You guys go home. I kept you out too late and I'm sorry for that. Just wanted to keep you guys out here as long as I could while there was a high school party going on. We will regroup at noon to start creating strategies for the game this afternoon.

Hell yeah! Totally going to shred your asses today. Quil thought enthusiastically.

Well, you boys can leave me out. I'm going to relax today. Leah thought before shifting back.

The conversation went mute before I decided to shift back myself. I wanted to check on Bella so I decided I would go over to her house and see how she was holding up. Hoping to see her possibly passed out from intoxication. I just wanted her to have had a good time, and if that meant drinking a lot of alcohol, then so be it.

When I arrived, I noticed her truck was there parked on the road. It looked untouched from last night, which meant she probably got a ride from Angela or someone. I shifted back to my human form and walked over to her tree, grabbing onto the trunk and then reaching towards one of the limbs to pull myself up closer to her window. I had to be quiet about it in order to keep Charlie from noticing me, who was already downstairs in the kitchen sipping on some coffee. I got closer to her window, grabbing onto the ledge and peaked in, but I noticed she wasn't there sprawled out across her bed.

She more than likely stayed over at Angela's house. I jumped out of her tree, leaving a loud thump on the ground. I knew Charlie had to have heard that one, so I ran straight towards the tree line and shifted back and headed home. I knew it was early in the morning, but I had exchanged numbers with Angela Friday night on the way home from Seattle. I knew it wouldn't hurt to call just to see if Bella was over there. It sounded silly to be worried. Bella was a grown woman who could handle herself, but I couldn't help from feeling anxious about it.

"H— Hello?" Angela picked up the phone after several rings. She sounded drowsy, which was expected from a teenager waking up from staying up all night at a party.

"Hey, Angela. It's Jacob. Sorry to wake you, I just wanted to know if Bella stayed over at your house last night."

"Um— uh sorry. No." Angela heaved in a heavy sigh, trying to relocate her thoughts. "She said she was going to drive Jess and Lauren home. They drank too much."

"Oh, Bella didn't drink?" I asked. I guess in a way I was prouder for that matter. That Bella wouldn't succumb to peer pressure.

"No, not at all," She chuckled dryly, following a cough. "She never called me to tell me that she made it home, though."

"Is that something that she normally would do?" I asked.

"Not all the time. But I assumed she would, considering she had two drunk girls home late at night." Angela heaved out another sigh with soft moans and groans trying to keep her attention on the conversation at an early hour.

"She isn't home, Angela." I said to her, sternly. I was now beginning to panic whether something had happened to her.

"It's possible she spent the night there. The invitation said anyone was welcome to."

"Stay the night? Why would she do that?"

"Well if Jess and Lauren didn't want to go home to their parents sloppy drunk, they probably would have suggested it, leaving Bella with no ride." More soft moans escaped her throat. Her voice was becoming softer now. I could hear that she was about to fall back to sleep.

"Angela? Thank you."

"Mmhm… no problem." The line ended.

I knew everyone was out of their wolf forms at home asleep now, probably. I didn't want to worry any of them with my task of crossing over to Cullen territory. I left the house in a rush, slamming the door behind me and running back into the woods. I realized that if I wanted to get Bella home, I should probably instead drive the rabbit over there. I turned around, now increasing my jog back towards my house, and hopped into my car. I started the ignition and pulled out of my driveway and headed down the road, flooring it. I was in a rush; panicking. Why would Bella stay over there? Why wouldn't she call for me to pick her up? Of course, she wouldn't call me. It's not like I have a phone when I'm on patrol. I should really think of doing that. Strapping it against my leg while I'm out. It would be uncomfortable, but at least I knew she could call whenever she was in danger.

I continued to drive down the long road encased by trees, passing Bella's house along the way. The road was long, but luckily there were no other drivers on the road during the early Sunday morning hours.

There were many cars parked in their driveway. About eight to be exact. I hesitated as I scanned through the large glass windows, seeing the house look clean and spotless as if there was never a party there in the first place. I walked up the staircase to the front door, beaming my eyes through the glass to get a closer look at everyone. I could see people sprawled across the couches, noticing immediately that Lauren and Jessica were the two taking up the couch, and several others in the love seat and on the floor.

I swung the door open quickly, unnerved by the idea that there were others sleeping. I didn't care. I had to get Bella home.

The hot burning bleach scent filled in through my nostrils. It was more apparent now that I was in the house. If I wasn't panicking as much as I was before, I probably would've noticed it sooner when I was outside of the house. But it had struck through me now. I held my nose, sneezing at the smell, trying to get rid of the burning sensation. I stomped through the house looking around to see if Bella was in any of the rooms on this floor of the house. If there were vampires here, I had to get her out of here immediately.

But first, it was them. They were back. It had to be them. I recognized the short pixie-like girl's scent immediately, along with another scent that I wasn't familiar with. I felt uncomfortable not being in my wolf form, but I knew that having a bunch of teenagers seeing a large wolf in the living room would raise a bunch of questions, and alarming screams of terror.

"Blood sucker," I shouted in the room. I was filled with aggravation, not noticing that I could potentially wake up the others around me. "Show yourself."

"Shhh, shh! Our guests are sleeping, mutt!" She hissed at me in a light whisper. She flew across the room immediately, standing guard several feet back. She was clinging onto a muscular brunette who was holding his defenses in front of her. "Jasper it's okay. It's just one of those wolves. The one Bella is with."

"Where is she?" I asked her sternly. I was more confused now, looking at her. I had recognized her scent, but her hair color and facial features didn't match my memories of her.

"She's okay. She spent the night," She said, looking unbothered. "You're acting like I would put her in danger."

"Any leech around her is dangerous." I said to her back, "What? You decided to throw a house party of teenagers for a fun dinner party for you and your mate?"

Jasper made a slight advance towards me, hissing. "Jasper, it's okay. You know we wouldn't hurt her, Jacob. She's my sister."

"Sister?" I scoffed at her. "Great sister you are. Leaving her again, just to hurt her." Alice winced at my insults. "Why do you look like that?"

Alice raised her brow and then looked up at the long blonde bangs draped over her face. She brushed them away. "We are in disguises. We didn't want her or anyone to recognize us."

"Recognize you? I don't care. I need to get Bella now and leave. Where is she?" I said firmly, shifting myself away from her, walking towards the staircase.

"Wait, Jacob!" Alice flighted herself over towards me, blocking the staircase. I took a step back, startled by her speed. Not that it was new, but I wasn't expecting her to be in front of me so fast. "Please. You can't tell her that we are here."

"And why not?" I asked.

"Because…" Alice looked up at Jasper who had now taken his place back in front of her. "Because Edward doesn't want her to know."

"Oh great, so the leech fest is back in town?"

"No, just me and Jasper," She said, gripping tighter onto his hand. "Edward is having us watch over her to make sure she is safe… since Victoria has been lingering around."

"That's my job. It's my job to protect her, not yours, and not his. Besides, why isn't he here then? Why did he send you two?" Alice looked back up at Jasper who hadn't taken his stare off of me. I was growing impatient.

"Because he is looking for her, too. Elsewhere…" she replied.

"Elsewhere? Where is that red-headed leech?" I asked. I continued to scowl at the both of them.

"I'm not positive. She changes her mind frequently. But she's not in Forks." I started walking towards them, planning to push past the both of them to walk up the stairs.

"Stand down, dog," Jasper said. I laughed at his command towards me. As if he could even imagine that he would be able to stop me.

"Jacob, please. Please don't tell her we are here."

"She deserves to know," I said.

"And her knowing would only hurt her. Edward doesn't plan to come back into her life. He wants her to live a normal, human life. Without our interference from keeping her living that way. We are only here to make sure she is safe until Victoria is dead."

I thought about the idea if I decided to have told Bella that they were back. How would Bella react to that? Last time Alice visited to check on her, Bella practically threw herself into that leech's arms and told me to leave her house. As if I hadn't been here the whole time, helping her, healing her, falling in love with her. If Bella did know they were back, she would most likely demand to see Edward. What would my relationship's fate be with Bella if she did force Edward to come back and see her? Would she run into his arms, too? Leave me behind as if the progress we have made in our relationship never meant anything?

It felt quite insulting to myself to have little faith in Bella when it came to that idea. Little faith that Bella would choose me over him. But it had bothered me. Bothered me enough to head to Alice's warning.

"You guys are supposed to warn us if you come back into town." I growled at her.

"We aren't permanently resided here. We didn't think it would matter. Besides, we know not to cross onto your lands." I looked around the room, seeing the house that looked like it was kept up for a living situation.

"Seems to me you already have made yourself at home," I grumbled at them, looking around the room.

"Jacob, she's upstairs in one of the bedrooms," Jasper said to me. "We won't stop you from taking her home. We just want to make sure you understand why you cannot tell Bella we are back."

I nodded at him. "Yeah, sure. I better not see any of you around town." Alice pulled Jasper away from the staircase, leading him away into another room of the house.

I headed up to the top floor, glancing down the many rooms in the hallway. I opened up several of them, noticing other teens passed out in the bedrooms, a few of them unclothed. I walked down towards the end of the hall, swinging open the last door.

"Bella…" I breathed out in a relieved sigh. She was cozied up onto a futon that was next to the window, covered in a handmade quilt. The room reeked of leeches. I quickly made my advances towards her; placing my hand on her shoulder—shaking her. I needed to get her out of the house. I needed to get her home, away from these blood suckers. Away from the possibility of losing her. Away from the possibility that she would choose them over me. "Bella? Bella wake up!"

She didn't open her eyes. She shifted her face closer into the ottoman, squeezing onto it. "Bella, please we have to go!" I said again, shaking her shoulder. She moved her hand towards her face, rubbing her fingers against her eyes.

"What— what's wrong?" she asked with a hoarse voice. She was noticeably tired, but I didn't care. Not at this moment. If she had already recognized them at the party, then it was already too late. I needed to get her home now, before that possibility flourishes. I pulled the quilt off her, letting it fall to the floor.

"We have to leave, now. Please, we have to go."

A/N:

Hi everyone! So I wanted to let you know that I won't be posting as frequent as I like. I'm having to figure out what I'm going to do leading up towards the end of the story. No, it's not coming very soon, to be honest. we might have about 10 more chapters to go. Maybe more! I'm having to go on a separate google docs page to keep track of each event that I'm having for the chapters, but I keep getting puzzled on things that could happen to fill in the space until it's time to get towards the end! Please be patient! Again, thank you to everyone who keeps continuing to come back to read my story! I'm having fun writing it. Just, I keep getting stuck... I'm sorry about that!

Happy Holidays to you all (: