Chapter 19

Changing Lanes

Ten weeks passed since the pack laid Embry to rest. They still struggled with the loss of their brother and best friend, but the pain began to lessen as they adjusted, working toward healing. They continued running tight, frequent patrols and made sure someone always watched over Kim and Rachel, since they never located the missing Native American vampire.

Jacob woke to brightness, realizing he overslept again. Another great dream of Embry had held him in his slumber. He jumped out of bed and called for Billy, only to find Billy already left. They had made plans to meet with Sam about what Billy and the Council felt united the packs. There was also a bonfire scheduled for tonight, which was more than likely the reason Billy left without him. He grumbled at his dad's lack of patience then admitted to himself how much alike they were. After showering, he dressed and hurried over to Sam's place, hoping he'd be lucky enough to catch Billy there.

Driving into the yard, he noticed Sam sitting alone on his front porch. Billy was nowhere in sight.

"You just missed him." Sam yawned, stretching.

"Yeah, I figured as much. I guess he didn't want to wake me again." He took a seat beside Sam. "He thinks I'm not sleeping well. I admit, I wasn't at first, but it's gotten much better. I can sleep all night sometimes."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

"So, did he tell you anything or is he going to make us wait a week, trying to get us together?"

"Actually, he did. He said he could just as well told you what they found out, but he wanted to talk to us together. I guess since the timing hasn't worked out, he gave up and told me to fill you in when you got here, and he'd talk with you about it when he sees you."

Jacob quirked his eyebrow. "Okay, let's hear it. What does the Council think happened?"

"Now that I think about it. It's no great mystery. We all performed as one pack, working toward the same emotionally heightened goal. We shared a purpose crucial to every one of us. That's what caused us to reunite. Simple as that. Here's the part that seems strange to me. I don't know. Let's see what you think about it. They said two Alphas or Co-Alphas existing harmoniously in one pack." Sam shrugged, appearing puzzled.

"Co-Alphas?" Jacob repeated in the same questioning tone. "Is that possible?"

"Billy says it is. I didn't feel I had any power over you when the packs reunited. I still don't. Did you feel anything like that over me?"

"Nah, nothing at all."

"Billy said we both think so much alike we're almost one mind, anyway. We make a good team."

"A hell of a good team," Jacob chimed.

Sam smirked. "Yeah, we do." He sounded like he was becoming convinced as he listened to himself speak. "Apparently, we only had one issue dividing us and that issue isn't even an issue anymore, according to Billy."

"What was the issue?"

"I don't know. He said he's got to talk to you about that one first."

"So, what do we do now?" Jacob asked. "How is this supposed to work?"

"Hmm. I think we could operate as usual, if it's okay with you. Unless you have some things you want ironed out before we attempt it?"

"Nah, I don't mind the way you do things. I mean, it works for the pack and with the numbers we have now, I could see why it's necessary to give orders to get things done the right way." Jacob rationalized for a moment, adding, "But since I only make requests, my two concerns are Leah and Seth. They're used to having their free will, so my only condition is to let me handle thembymyself."

"Sure, sounds good to me," Sam agreed, chuckling. "Leah scares the hell out of me, anyway."

"Since everything's good here, I guess I'll take off. I should already be at Raven's house helping with the move. I'll see you later."

"Here's the key to my pickup. You still wanted to borrow it, didn't you?" Sam asked, tossing Jacob the keys.

"Yup, I'll have it back by this evening before the bonfire."

"One more thing, Jacob," Sam spouted as Jacob stalked away. "Billy said to remind you he wants everyone at the bonfire tonight. He said to invite Raven. He forgot to tell you that himself, and he wasn't sure if he'd see you again before tonight. And, uh... tell Leah to bring what's his fa..." Sam swallowed and took a deep breath. "Tell her to bring River."

"I'll make sure they get the invitations."

Considering the tone in Sam's voice when he made his last remarks, Jacob drove away wondering if Sam was jealous of River and Leah, possibly even hurting a little. He figured it would be natural for Sam to be a little wounded, and Jacob supposed Leah might even enjoy that notion.

Parking in his driveway, Jacob jumped out of the truck and sprinted into his house when he heard the telephone ringing off the hook. "Hello," a familiar voice said.

"Bella!" He burst with happiness hearing her. "Hey, what's up?"

"Raven, come up here!" Abby yelled from the living room.

Raven ran up the stairs, anxious, thinking Jacob had finally showed up. She abruptly halted at the top of the steps, not expecting to see the buyers for the house and the reality agent there. They weren't scheduled to arrive for a few more hours. She smiled at the nice-looking family standing in the living room.

"These are the Coronados," Abby said. "They're originally from Dallas, Texas."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you." Raven said. She sat down with Abby and made polite small talk for a few minutes then excused herself to finish packing her room. Shortly after, she heard a basketball bouncing in the driveway and thought River was back with the moving truck, so she went to check.

"Is this yours?" the young man asked, holding the ball out in front of him. "I hope you don't mind. They're doing a walkthrough of the house again, and I'm tired of sitting around. It's Justin."

"Not at all. Help yourself, Justin."

Justin tossed the ball into the hoop, asking, "So, what it's like around here?"

"It's wet." Raven giggled. "Coming from Texas and all, that's the only way to describe it. But after a while it grows on you. I like it here."

Raven found Justin friendly and outgoing. He told her he had just signed a letter of intent to play Division I College Basketball for the Washington Huskies and that his parents wanted to move closer so they could attend his games. He impressed her, and she let him know she enjoyed watching college basketball more than she enjoyed watching the NBA. The games seemed far more dynamic. Justin smiled, and she saw he was easy on the eyes, but guys with light hair and light eyes weren't her type. He had a nice smile, but compared to Jacob's, it didn't hold a candle. Before she knew it, they were shooting a game of lightning and getting along very well.

Jacob honked the horn, driving up in Sam's pick-up truck. He smirked at Raven and Justin with some kind of look she wasn't familiar with. She brushed it off and introduced them once Jacob climbed out of the truck. They shook hands and chatted for a few minutes until Justin's parents came out to leave.

"Nice to meet you, Justin, and good luck with your basketball season," Jacob said, looking over and winking at Raven.

After the Coronados left, Raven sensed a bizarre tension coming from him. She was certain it had nothing to do with Justin. Jacob was too confident for jealousy, but she gathered something bothered him.

"Show me the boxes you want me to load," he said, striding ahead of her and into the house.

She instantly knew it would be one of those distant times. Raven showed him the boxes, and without another word to her, he started loading them in Sam's pick-up truck. When River came back with the moving van, he and Jacob got to work on the heavy stuff.

"I saw the Coronado boy checking you out," Abby teased, as she wrapped dishes and carefully put them into boxes. "His eyes popped out of his head when you came up. He reminded me of Roger Rabbit when Jessica Rabbit entered the room." She laughed.

Rolling her eyes, Raven pretended not hear her. She glanced out the window for Jacob. She couldn't see him.

"I thought he was cute," Abby went on.

Raven spun around facing Abby and put her finger to her lips. "Mom, shush..." she whispered, glaring. "He wasn't as cute as Jacob. Now be quiet."

Abby let out another soft laugh. "That's true."

A few minutes later, Jacob came into the house and asked Raven to sit outside with him while he and River took a break. She held her breath until he put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. Sighing, she felt relieved the distant moment passed, and she could enjoy the comfort of his arm around her.

"Hey, ah, there's a family bonfire tonight. I already told River about it, and we want you to come, too."

"Sure, I'd love to."

He lifted her chin and gave her a light kiss then grinned. "I bet you get hit on all the time, don't you?" he asked, out of the blue.

"Where did that come from?"

"Just tell me."

Raven flipped her hair over her shoulders. "Well, if you really want to know... at least a few times a day."

"That much, huh?" Jacob pursed his lips, meeting her lighthearted humor with a serious expression.

"I'm kidding." Raven giggled. "What's this about, Jacob?"

Jacob's expression relaxed. "I bet that guy was hitting on you, wasn't he?" He beamed cheerfully, and Raven didn't know what to think. Something strange was going on with him.

"Is Jacob Black jealous?"

"No, Jacob Black's not jealous. I just want to know." Jacob put his hands around her waist, tickling her.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you." She laughed. "He asked for my number to invite me to a game, sometime, and I told him I had a boyfriend."

"And then what?"

"And then what?" She repeated. "What do you mean?"

Jacob raised his eyebrow. "And then what?"

She cleared her throat. "And then he gave me his number for when I don't."

Lowering his eyes, Jacob bottom lip curved down.

"I'm kidding!" She chuckled, feeling uncomfortable with Jacob's behavior. "And then nothing. I told him about you, and then you showed up."

Wrapping her arms around him, she pressed her face into his neck, breathing in the subtle, fresh-forest scent of his skin as she nuzzled him. "That tickles." Jacob squirmed, giving into his smile. "I guess I was a little jealous. Just a little." He pinched his fingers together. "So, don't get a big head."

Raven laughed. "Be quiet."

"No. That's not true. I was really jealous, and he looked guilty."

"Is that what's really bothering you, Jacob?" Raven asked, searching his face for an underlying answer she felt certain he was hiding.

"Not really. I can't talk about it now. I'll tell you later for sure," he said, giving her a peck on the tip of her nose. "I better get back to work. I got here late enough as it is."

They finished loading all the boxes and furniture and drove to the house in La Push. Raven rode with Jacob in Sam's truck. "I don't know what's wrong with Sam's radio. It only picks up this stale country station," Jacob complained.

"That's okay. I'm from Texas, remember? Ooh, I like this song. It's an old Gary Allen song called Loving You Against My Will." She turned up the volume.

Jacob listened for a bit then scrunching his eyebrows together, he snapped, "Country music sucks!"

Raven bit her lip, casting her eyes away from him. By now, she knew without a doubt something serious troubled him. "I think it's true and honest," she stated in monotone, staring straight ahead.

"That's what I mean. It sucks!" He scowled, practically knocking a hole in the stereo when he banged his hand against it in a haste to turn it off.

"Jacob what's wrong?" Raven demanded in a sharp tone.

"Nothing's wrong."

Liar!

"Yes, there is!" she unexpectedly shouted. "Something's always wrong, and you might as well tell me about it!" She burned with anger toward him for the secret he kept. Never had she felt this resentful and frustrated. She was so sick and tired of hiding what she knew, she wanted to scream it out at him and be done with it all. Staring out the window motionless, she tried to calm before she burst into tears.

Jacob moved over to the side of the road and stopped the truck. "Raven, I don't want to fight with you about this," he said. Clenching his palms against his temples, he groaned and let out a rough sigh.

"Is that what we're doing? Fighting, cause if it is, it's the first," she muttered, forcing herself to look him in the eyes and watching him as he took deep breaths.

"This is stupid," he finally said. They stared at each other. Then a slow smile inched across Jacob's face.

Raven puckered her lips to keep from smiling back, but it was no use. She couldn't resist his smile, and they both cracked up laughing.

Jacob slid next to her. "I'm sorry," he said, reaching for her and pressing his lips against her forehead.

No sooner did that happen, and he was back in his distant mood. He brooded around the house as he moved furniture and unloaded boxes. The entire time, Raven trembled inside, certain it was the beginning of the end.

"Everything's all unloaded. I need to take Sam's pickup back. Do you want me to come by and pick you up for the bonfire or do you want to meet me there?"

"I'll meet you there ifI go. There's so much to do around here," she claimed, but she had a bad feeling about going to the bonfire and his behavior burnt her out emotionally.

"Go. I want you there." He hugged her and kissed her and smiled, but she could find no truthfulness in his eyes. She could find nothing truthful about him. His entire demeanor was a flat out lie.

"All right. I'll go, but I'll meet you there." She forced a smile just so he would stop the charade. It all hurt too much.

When he drove out of sight, she took a deep breath, unable to ignore the alarm bells going off inside her heart and mind. Plopping down to sit on the front porch steps, she hung her head and cried.

A/N The moment of truth is about to arrive with the next chapter *wiggling eyebrows* We only have one chapter left and then the Epilogue. A huge THANK YOU to those of you who have read, commented, or followed. You make my day 😘