A/N: Hi everyone. I just wanted to do a quick update here today. There will be another chapter tomorrow. I'm looking for some feedback on this story as I am seriously debating on whether it needs to be pulled down for an edit? Please feel free to tell me what your thoughts are and if you would like it to continue to the end. Thank you!

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I hadn't slept in days and my nerves felt shot as I waited for Jacob to open his eyes. It had been nearly five whole agonizing days of silence now, each day seeming to pass by more slowly than the last. Sue had been helpful in every way she could and had told us all that the rest of Jacobs recovery would be solely up to him. She had done all she could for him. She had regularly checked his vitals and kept his IV bag going like clockwork, being sure he wasn't in any pain or dehydrated.

Sam had grown increasingly worried as the days dragged on. He had begun digging up old legends himself and calling in the elders for their aid with Jacob, but nothing they offered proved to be any more helpful to him than what Sue herself had already done.

"He should be coming around by now." Billy sighed, running his hands over his tired face. "This doesn't make any damn sense."

"I know it's hard, Billy. But we have to wait-"

It's been five days, Sue! Something is gravely wrong with him! Why can't he wake up?" He snapped, hastily wheeling himself away from us and onto her warn porch outdoors.

The pack looked truly shaken as they all stood around Sue's table. Their faces full of tangible worry for Jacob as they looked toward Sue's door where Billy was.

"He's just scared, Sue." Sam offered, throwing a supportive arm around her shoulders.

"I know. I'm just as frustrated as he is. Jacobs heart is strong and his vitals good. He should be coming to by now. He should of been opening his eyes days ago. I've never witnessed anything like this. I'm baffled."

"Something has to explain this. I've done all the damn digging I can with the elders. Their just as bewildered as we all are." Sam huffed, glancing my way. "Bella hasn't left his side... not for days now and hat alone should help him more than it has."

"Is there someone else we should call?" Leah asked. "Like... maybe a real doctor?"

"You know that is not an option, Leah." Sam sternly replied.

"Well, we can't just sit and wait and hope he comes to. Something is really wrong here. Am I the only one who thinks we're only harming him by waiting?" Paul added, tossing a sympathetic look in my direction.

"Maybe he just needs a few more days? He responds to my hand in his... So he knows I'm there with him." I added, seeing Sam shake his head in confusion.

"Five days is plenty of time-" Sue began.

"Or maybe it isn't, Sue. I think Bella's right. Jacobs body could need more time to heal. Maybe the man and the wolf are struggling against each other. It would definitely explain why he reacts to her touch only and why he's still not waking up. A wolf will always respond to the needs of his imprint."

"If that's the case, I'm not sure that any of us can help him. It really is up to Jacob now. There is nothing more any of us can do. He will need to overcome it."

I wandered away from the conversation upon hearing her, heading back to Jacob and sinking down on the edge of the bed beside him. His face appeared to be so still... so peaceful even, but I feared what was happening just under his calm exterior.

His vitals had improved greatly and he looked so much better than before. He no longer had a raging fever, nor did he moan in pain, instead he was completely still. Only moving when my hand took his, lacing his fingers through mine without any further movement to follow. It was like he knew I was there and wanted me there, but still... his eyes remained closed.

Sue had once thought he had possibly slipped into a coma of some kind, but later dismissed that after doing some more of her own research.

Whatever it was... or wasn't... I was beyond desperate to hear his voice and to see his bright sunny smile. The last week without it had left me feeling utterly numb. I need him. I needed every part of him.

I never realized just how much you could miss something so routine, like the sound of a persons voice, until it was gone from you.

My hand delicately touched his face, tracing his jaw and seeing the peaceful and younger expression he now wore, silently wishing I could somehow get him to open those brown eyes again.

"Jake." I whispered, searching his face for some kind of acknowledgement to my voice and seeing none there.

No one could understand this. All the research Sam was doing had so far not explained why Jacob wouldn't come to and it left us all rattled and desperately scouring for some answers. Billy had been teetering on tears for days now and it broke my heart to see him this way. He feared greatly for his son. Feared he wouldn't ever wake up and deep down, I feared this too.

"You could really be onto something, Bella." Sam suddenly spoke, appearing next to me now. "Jacob may be taking longer to recover because of the wolf within him. It may be a battle for dominance."

"What does that mean for him, Sam? Is he not able to come back?" I asked, wiping the tear that slid down my cheek.

"I'm not sure. But the legends do tell of such a thing. Where a wolf and man cannot dwell in the same vessel, so the wolf will fight for dominance over the man. It's hard to tell at this point if that's what Jacob is dealing with. Only time will tell, Bella. Till then... we wait."

"... and if the wolf wins?"

Sam ducked his head and didn't reply to me. His silence loud enough though to be my answer.