Bella PoV

I couldn't say that my heart didn't pound faster as I stood in front of the two giant wolves. What I could say was that I made a rather good show of not showing it.

I had driven around aimlessly until somewhere in the woods ahead a branch had snapped. I had exited my truck immediately and run into the forest, calling for someone. I only knew a few by names but calling out their names would surely attract the attention of whoever was in the woods.

And then they had appeared. Two wolves, one slightly smaller than the other but both big as a horse. They had looked at me, uncertain of what I wanted. I had gathered all my strength and walked right up to them until I was only a few feet away.

„I want to see Jacob." When none of them had moved or made any other sign of understanding I had crossed my arms in front. „I don't know who you are exactly but I know you can understand me and I know that you can hear everything the others say. So, tell Jacob I want to see him. I won't move an inch until I've spoken to him. "

Rain had made me completely wet, running down my hair and my face, probably not adding to my determined look but I didn't care. I looked the bigger one straight in the eye. „I'll stay here the whole night if I have to." I would probably get one hell of a cold but that was worth it. He was worth it.

The smaller wolf had lain down in front of me, tongue sticking out, his eyes shining with mischief. I had to grin. He looked like a puppy demanding a few strokes.

I shot a look at the bigger wolf but he didn't pay any attention to me so I carefully approached the smaller wolf who barked quietly and waved his tail. He didn't go away when I knelt in front of him and slowly reached out until I felt his wet fur beneath my hands. The small wolf even pressed his head tighter against the palm of my hand and barked happily. Like a puppy I grinned and continued caressing his head.

„Seems like you've made a new friend ," a very familiar voice behind me called. I jumped to my feet. Jacob!

And true enough, it was Jacob standing across the small clearing, his dark eyes looking sternly at me.

"Jacob! " I breathed. I crossed the clearing in a run and wanted to hug him as tight as I could but Jake took one step back and crossed his arms in return. A clear sign.

"What do you want, Bella? " His voice was ice cold as was the look from his eyes.

„I wanted to see you. We need to talk", I replied.

„I don't see what there's to talk about." Rain poured down his beautiful face and his dark hair. I was feeling slightly cold, but he was, as usual, quite warm.

„Alright, so then don't talk. Just listen. Jake, I know I've been an idiot. I've been stupid enough push you away when I needed you. I doubted everything, me, you, and us. I mean just look at us. You are beautiful and smart and funny. I am weak and plain and nothing like you. I could understand that you liked me as a friend but how could you ever love me? It made no sense to me. It was like Edward all over again. He said he loved me and even though I knew it couldn't be true, that I couldn't be enough for him, I believed him. Then he left me and said all the things I had in my heart always known to be true. And then you appear and say you love me and then you kiss me, and I thought I only kissed you back to make sure you wouldn't leave me, too. I know you said you would never do that to me, and I know I should have trusted you and I am so sorry I didn't."

"And now?" His voice was soft, almost inaudible over the heavy rain that still poured down. Rain covered my body to the bone, but I ignored it. My whole focus was Jacob. I looked him straight into the eyes, making sure he heard what I said next.

"I do. I trust you when you say you'll never leave me. I am stupid I ever doubted that. Even though I still don't understand how you can love me."

"Maybe because you are the most beautiful, strongest and smartest girl I've ever met?" He took one step closer. "You constantly surprise me Bella. Every time I thought I have you figured out you do something new. You walk up to werewolves and threaten them, which never is a good idea by the way. You run with vampires and werewolves like it's nothing out of the ordinary. You came back to me after I've pushed you away." With each sentence he had taken one step closer until we were standing so close, I could practically feel his heartbeat without touching him. "And you kissed me because you wanted to. You want me, I know that and it's time you know that too."

I raised an eyebrow. "You are quite sure of yourself, aren't you?"

"Only when it comes to you." He grinned, lowering his head a little so our lips almost touched. "Admit it Bella, you want me."

His hands crept up to my face, covering it on each side. "Say you want it. Say you want me."

My mind had gone off into oblivion and my body seemed to function only on instinct. I didn't know if my heart was still beating. His dark eyes bore into mine; locking them in place as his soft voice reached my ears. "Say it."

"I..." I whispered. "I want you."

He smiled. "What do you want?"

"Kiss me..." I almost begged. I blushed and my skin felt hot. A warm feeling had started to spread inside my body and suddenly the rain didn't feel so cold anymore.

Finally, because I was out of patience, I decided to take the last step. I stood up on my toes, placed my hands around his neck and kissed him. His answer came straight away. He made a small sound, something between a sigh and a laugh and stepped forward to bring our bodies even closer together. His arms wandered from my face to my hips, holding me firmly in place. His body-heat wrapped around me, making all the coldness disappear. Even the heavy rain didn't bother me anymore. In this moment, there were only Jacob and me.