A NOTE TO READERS:

So, I don't expect any of my returning readers to remember this but, this is not the original Chapter 21. I've cut out a chapter. This used to be Chapter 22, and Chapter 21 was called "Telling the Pack". I chose to scrap that chapter, however, because there was just too much fluff and there was not fixing it given all of the changes I have made to chapters 1-20.

So, yeah, fun fact lol Enjoy the new Chapter 21.

Chapter 21 – Released

I woke up early the next morning with a couple hours to spare before I had to go on patrol. I chose to stay in bed for a little bit, reliving the night before

Jacob had pressed his lips to mine, gently at first, tightening his grip on my waist. The feeling was incredible. I was aware of even the lightest touch, as if every nerve in my body was standing on end. I stood on tiptoes, my arms wrapped around his neck, our chests pressed firmly together. His lips were soft, moving slowly against mine. My lips parted gradually and the kiss became deeper. He even tasted good, although I didn't know how that was possible.

I brushed my fingertips across my lips as the memory played in my head. I remembered trying to breathe through my nose so I wouldn't break the kiss for something as unimportant as oxygen. His scent enveloped me; he smelled like the woods, a little like a campfire, and like something I could only define as him. At one point I lost my balance. Jacob steadied me with a hand on my hip, his other arm still firmly around my waist, his lips never leaving mine. He moved us back so he could half-lean-half-sit against the back of the couch, effectively bringing his head lower so I didn't have to tiptoe to reach him. I didn't know how long we stayed like that, but all too soon we were pulling away to catch our breath.

"Are you alright," he whispered to me, his forehead pressed to mine, his brown eyes searching my face for any signs of distress.

I could only manage an "Mmhmm," and a flustered smile as I tried to steady my breathing.

He smiled, kissing me gently on the head before pulling me closer into a hug. My arms wound around his neck, my right hand finding its way into the back of his hair.

A light knocking on my door brought me back to the present.

"You can open the door," I said sitting up.

"I didn't want to walk in on you if you were getting dressed," Jacob explained as he opened the door.

I smiled, "That was very thoughtful, thank you," I said, getting out of bed, "Not that it's anything you haven't seen before," I added.

Jacob's eyes grew wide, "I haven't looked, I swear," he said anxiously as I walked over to him.

"I'm joking," I said smiling up at him, "You are very respectful of my privacy and for that I am grateful."

He frowned down at me, "Take it easy on me. I'm still worried I'm going to do something that scares you or makes you uncomfortable and ruin everything," he said.

"Sorry, I promise I was just teasing," I said, wrapping my arms around him. He wrapped his arms around me and leaned his head down to nuzzle me gently.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Like a rock," I said.

"No nightmares?" he asked with concern.

"None," I said with a reassuring smile.

"That's good," he said softly, kissing me on the head, "Are you hungry?"

"Are any of us ever not hungry," I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"So sassy this morning," he said shaking his head slightly, a broad grin transforming his face. He was so handsome when he smiled.

"I'm in a good mood," I said shrugging.

"To whom or what would you credit putting you in this good mood," he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

"Hmm," I murmured, making a face as though I was thinking hard, "I had this really vivid dream that a guy confessed his undying love to me. Ya know, you sorta look like him."

He grinned and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Oh that wasn't a dream baby," his warm breath caressing my neck, "Want me to prove it?"

I felt his lips brush against my skin, just below my ear. I couldn't hold back a small gasp. He continued to trail the softest of kisses along my jaw until he was about to kiss me on the lips. He paused for a moment, pulling back so he could look at my face as if to check he hadn't gone too far. I was sure I was blushing furiously, but I didn't want him to stop. He smiled gently and closed the gap between us, bringing his lips to mine.

I just about melted in his arms. He really was the reason I was in such a good mood. Last night I had felt truly safe for the first time in months. I had found my mate, all was right with the world.

Jacob's stomach growled and I pulled away laughing, "Sounds like it's time for breakfast."

"Yes, please," he said with a smile.

An hour later I was headed into the forest with Leah. I began patrol on the beach side. The water was sparkling in the glow of the morning sun. My view of the beach faded as I made my way towards the preserve, and then back and forth through the forest. Leah and I didn't talk much. I got the feeling she wasn't much of a morning person. That was alright with me. The silence allowed me to really listen to my surroundings. The sounds of the world around me waking up was almost musical.

Before I knew it, I could hear Jacob and Sam coming to relieve us. I had made it back to the beach line at that point so I paused to wait for one of them to find me.

"How has it been out here you two?" I heard Sam's voice in my head.

"Quiet." I heard Leah respond.

"Not to sound like a complete simpleton but, that's a good thing right?" I asked.

"Yes and no," Jacob chimed in.

"Vampires don't really do the 'lone wolf' thing, so to speak. It's possible she was living alone and wandering, but it's unlikely. Therefore it's reasonable to assume she was part of a group and eventually someone will come looking for her if they aren't already here." said Sam.

I felt a chill run through me. I didn't like the idea of a group of hostile vampires lurking just out of sight waiting to exact their revenge.

"Don't worry," I heard Jacob say. He emerged from the trees in front of me, "If they were lurking nearby we'd be able to smell them."

"No offence but that's not all that comforting," I said, only half joking.

"Alright well then keep in mind that you and seven other people you know can turn into werewolves and kick serious ass," said Jacob with a wolfish smile.

"Ah yes, you're right. Thank you I feel much better now," I said with a laugh.

"What would you say to a swim? Not now, but maybe later tonight, after patrol?" asked Jacob, coming over to me.

"That sounds great!" I said looking out over the sea, trying to imagine how it would look in the light of the moon.

Jacob brushed up against me gently, "Go on, go change and have something to eat. I'll see you at dinner."

I nuzzled him, "See you in a bit."

I turned to walk back to the house as he turned to head towards the preserve.

I stayed inside the tree line to put my clothes back on before walking to our house. I dug through the fridge and made a sandwich for lunch before grabbing a book from my room. Since it was a nice warm day I filled a bottle with water and headed for the meadow. Leaning up against the tree in the center of the meadow I settled in to read. Eventually I ran out of water and decided to head back, take a shower and head over to Emily's house to help make dinner. Emily was making meatloaf, several in fact; we needed at least one per person with the way we all ate.

Jared was the first to arrive for dinner, looking like he had just woken up from a nap. Emma came in just ahead of Leah, Jacob and Sam. She was walking by herself and looked much better than she had the night before. Her color was back and the new bandages extending beyond the hem of her shorts were clear of blood. We all sat down and ate as if we had never seen food before. I helped Emily clean up the dishes afterwards, but they barely needed cleaning because they had been licked clean. Once the dishes were done Emily and I joined the rest of the pack on the couch. Emily snuggled up to Sam. I sat down next to Jacob and curled my feet up, sitting as close to him as possible without raising suspicion. I wasn't sure if the rest of the pack, aside from Sam, knew that we had imprinted. And I wasn't sure if I wanted them to know just yet.

When the phone rang Emily hopped up to answer it.

"Arianna, it's for you. Someone named Gwen!" Emily shouted from the kitchen.

I jumped up and almost ran into the kitchen. Emily handed me the handset and left to rejoin the others.

"Hello, Gwen?" I said, excited to be hearing from my best friend, even if I didn't know how she got the number.

"Arianna," she responded, but something wasn't right; she whispered into the phone, panic clearly in her voice, "Oh my God Arianna!"

"Gwen what's wrong," I asked a chill running down my spine; she sounded scared to even speak. "Arianna, Vance is out of jail! His dad paid someone and they got him out somehow. He came to my house…" she said almost sobbing, "He- he demanded to know where you were. I couldn't tell him so he left. He has a g-gun. I don't know if he's gone to your house yet but" she stopped and I heard her ragged breathing as she began to hyperventilate.

I felt ice cold fear flood threw me, making me shiver. I couldn't breathe; it was like someone had punched me in the gut and I fell to the floor, the phone still clutched in my hand.

"Arianna," I heard Jacob's voice call my name but I did not respond; my speech was gone with my breath.

"Arianna, are you still there," asked Gwen, sounding desperate.

I got out a "Yes'' in barely a whisper.

"Arianna, I called the police. But he could be anywhere. The woods around your house alone...," she whispered. I heard her try to stifle a sob.

I hadn't realized it but I was crying too; silent tears were trickling down my face and dripping onto my knees which were pulled to my chest. Jacob came into the kitchen. When he saw me on the floor he rushed to me. Unable to get much close without taking the phone from me or unfurling my legs, he sat with his legs on either side of me, one hand on my knee, one pushing tears from my cheeks.

"Gwen-" I tried to say but my voice cracked so I tried again, "Gwen, lock the doors, get in your room with a phone and call your parents. Don't let anyone in the room until they get home, ok?" I said, barely suppressing the panic that threatened to overwhelm me at any moment. I felt Jacob tense at my words.

"Ok… But Arianna, what are you going to do… your parents-"

"Don't- don't worry, I'll take care of it," I said, my voice cracking again.

Gwen sniffed and said "Arianna, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be. I should be apologizing to you. I love you Gwen," I said.

"Love you too girl," she said with a shadow of her usual self in her voice, "Whatever you do, be careful."

"I will. Bye Gwen, stay safe," I said and she hung up.

I would have dropped the phone but Jacob took it from my hand.

"Jake," I said weakly, finally looking at him. He pulled me to him, his arm under my knees pulling me into his lap before wrapping me in a tight hug. I buried my face in his chest and began sobbing. Jacob rocked me gently, making no attempt to move me from the floor. My mind raced and I fought to pull myself together but to little avail. I clutched at his chest and he hugged me tighter.

"Jacob, she might transform," I heard Sam's voice from the kitchen doorway.

I struggled to take deep breaths, not wanting to prove Sam right. Jacob kissed me on the forehead.

"Jacob, what's wrong, what happened," said Emily, rushing over to us, headless of Sam's warning.

"Jake," I managed to say. I tilted my head up to look at him. He had a pained expression on his face as if he shared in every emotion I was feeling.

"Vance…" I said, still trying to steady my breathing, "He's out of jail, he's trying to find me! He has a gun!"

"Jacob, what is she talking about," asked Sam.

"May I tell them," Jacob whispered into my ear. I nodded. I was still taking steadying breaths, counting with every inhale and exhale.

Jacob told the pack who Vance was what he had done to me. He didn't go into detail, he just said Vance had attacked me, but the pack got the point.

"Sam," I said, finally in control of my breathing, "I'm afraid he is going to go after my parents. Please, we need to protect them."

Sam considered me for what seemed like the longest moment ever.

Finally Sam spoke, "Emma, do you feel up for patrol?"

"Absolutely," she answered.

"Then go get Seth and send him back here," said Sam. The words had hardly left his mouth before Emma was dashing out the front door, pulling off her clothes as she went.

"As for the rest of you, we are headed to Winthrop. I have a plan."