Mana, where is Kuri." Jacob said harshly. "I haven't seen her since the funeral. Come on, I know you know something!"

"I really don't." Mana said coldly. "Kuri stays in the tomb all the time now. She just can't move on. They were close after all."

"Where's the tomb. I want to see her!" Jacob said.

"Jake." Sam exited the shrine. "That isn't the best idea. You should get home, Dervish is probably worried sick."

"Shut UP Sam!" Jacob said. "Why doesn't anyone care?! Isn't she one of your precious priestesses? Why did you just let Reiko die?!"

"It's not like we didn't try." Mana said. "Reiko rejected her life as one of us. Threw in her lot with...others. You don't understand."

"Your right he doesn't." Sam said. "We should go."

Sam pulled her from the shrine as Jake stormed to the entrance to the cellar.

He had to find Kuri.

Xxx

Kuri was feeding Reiko again.

Though she had grown pale and weak, Kuri was managing somehow to get food and water.

Mana and Grams knew what was going on and didn't approve but couldn't let either of them die.

Kuri jumped as she heard the door creak, and the same time Reiko sank her fangs in again.

She looked up, expecting Mana or Grams.

Staring at her, face twisted in fury, was Jacob Black.

Xxx

"Jacob." Kuri was using spirit voice. It was commanding, absolute. Jacob felt his whole body tense, listening for her command. She never used that power! So why…? "Get out. Clear your head. Don't come back until it's safe."

With a tortured look that mirrored Kuri's, Jacob turned and launched himself away from the house.

Somewhere deep down, in his veins, in his genes, in his soul, Jacob knew exactly what was happening.

And then he exploded.

Xxx

As Jacob ran, his rage pounded in his ears. He was confused and scared, but he was still so angry!

A thought struck him, stopping him in his tracks.

Kuri's gonna hate me. But…Sam has to answer for what he did!

His thoughts ended in unintelligible snarling and snapping as he made it to Sam's place, where he lived with his fiancée, Mana.

It was Mana who showed up, and Jacob was horrified that he would hurt her. The fear stopped the rage and he changed back, taking the pants she held and changing, apologizing to her.

Sam came out. "Jake? You've shifted? Then why didn't I hear you?"

"Like I would follow an Alpha like you, bastard!" Jake snarled, but resisted the urge to shift. He couldn't hurt Mana. "Why are you abusing Kuri?!"

"She is in training." Sam explained, hands out, trying to calm him, body angled in front of Mana. "Calm down Jake."

Jacob snarled again, louder this time, on the edge. "That's not training! You don't come home with bruises?"

"Jacob calm down." Sam tried again, sending Mana back to the house, afraid for her safety.

"Don't! Tell me what to do!" Jake growled.

Sam tried to be patient. He was new, after all. He didn't understand. "She is inferior, Jake. She must learn her place!"

"How dare you call her inferior?!" Jake punched Sam, sending him flying into the forest. "She's NOT inferior!"

Suddenly Kuri was there. "Jake! Jake no!" Her arms were around him, hugging him from behind. "Please! No!"

Sam sprang to his feet. "Get back Priestess! Get back!"

"No!" Kuri cried stubbornly. "I trust Jacob!"

It was this trust that drained the fire from Jake's chest. He turned and met her hug.

"She's not training with you anymore." Jacob said in a commanding tone. At that moment he realized he was an Alpha. It felt good. "At least I treat her right."

Kuri was still squeezing him. Surprisingly tight. How was she stronger than him? "Hey. Look at me. Just me. Calm down. Please. Please don't hurt me!"

Jake was horrified at her words. He turned, pulled her into his arms, instantly completely calm, tremors gone. "I would never hurt you."

Kuri squeezed him again. "Your my sweet Jacob. You won't hurt me. What happened to you? Why are you angry all the time?"

Jake laughed. "You really don't know? I'm a wolf…" It was such a relief to say it. "When I get angry enough I shift." He laughed. "Like the Hulk!"

Kuri grinned. "I like wolves. You…you're warmer. Your heart beats faster. But your still my sweet Jacob.

Jacob looked in her eyes, feeling something, but the feeling slammed back into him, pain making him gasp. "W-Why?!"