A/N: Time for another update! Ah! Can't wait to hear what you all think of this chapter! You guys are awesome! HAPPY READING!

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

(JPOV)

I sped through the forest, running miles and miles without a known destination as the wolf took complete control. My lungs burned with exhaustion as the night turned into day. The beast had taken over and I knew the choking hold he had on me would be damn near impossible to free now. He didn't like to be contained or restricted.

I had challenged him.

Pushed him to relent his hold on me and he had not taken it kindly.

Pain tore through me from the shift, my body growing weak and broken from the powerful hold of the beast.

I was not strong enough to keep going like this.

I fought against the urge to run further, knowing he wanted me far from Bella.

The man that I was wanted her more than the wolfs lingering claim. I felt my legs become numb from exertion as I passed the state border, my mind filling with Bella's tears as the beast roared in fury from the thought.

He wanted to claim her.

I wanted to love her.

He demanded her submission.

I demanded nothing.

I knew enough of the old legends to remember some of the warnings they carried about a spirit warrior dwelling in an unsuspecting host. The damage it could cause. The fatal hold they often took.

There was a dominating force inside me that I had never felt before, something strong enough to make me feel powerless to its reign.

How could I control what was within me?

I could barely remember who I was...

Memories would come and go and the closer I was to Bella, the more vivid they became for me. She was a solid reminder of who I used to be and I needed her... craved her touch and her voice like my next breath.

I ran until I could run no more, my exhaustion making me collapse under it's heavy weight as darkness from the night fell around me once again. Hours went by before the sickeningly sweet aroma I loathed surrounded me. I huffed, shaking my head back and forth as I rose to my feet, trying to rid the awful stench. I scanned the trees, seeing them sway in the shallow breeze as a voice called out to me.

"Jacob."

I whipped around, a low growl building in my chest from the sound, as my eyes met those of liquid gold. A loud roar shook the forest around us, my teeth barred at the sight of her before me. Her long black hair and cream colored dress blowing in the wind when she raised her hands to me in defense.

"I am not here to hurt you. I promise."

I charged at her, disregarding her empty words and seeing her flea with the speed of sound from me. She darted up into the nearest tree, her agility making me roar again when she came to rest at the very top. Her eyes wide with evident fear as she perched herself on a sturdy branch.

"I know you can kill me. Your kind are what we all fear most- You are a true match for our speed and power. But your wasting your energy when you need it most. I have no ill will intended for you."

I stared up at her as the seething anger tore at me, her game growing old quickly now.

"Phase back... and I'll come down. You know I can't understand you that way." She laughed, the sound reminding me of music.

I growled in reply, circling the base of the tree and refusing to do as she asked.

"I can stay up here all day if you'd like-" She taunted, glancing up at the dark clouds. "The sun won't be working against me today. I came to help you, Jacob."

I huffed in agitation, forcing down the rage from the beast long enough to hear her.

"I know your instinct is to kill me, but you and I - we're really not that different." She chimed, quickly descending from the tree. I bit back a snarl when her golden gaze met mine again, her scent enough to make my nose burn. I roared loud in fury, sinking back and ready to tear into her granite flesh when she raised her hands to me again.

"I won't fight you." She warned. "So please- just listen."

I charged her anyway, leaping mid air and colliding with an invisible force that knocked me to the ground. I stood back up on shaky legs, my vision blurring from the hit I hadn't seen coming.

"Jacob-" She hissed. "Stop this."

I felt the beast retreat from within when she further approached me, her eyes remorseful when she looked me over.

"I didn't hurt you - Did I?"

My body felt heavy when her eyes locked with mine, my roar being silenced and my seething anger fading from me. I focused on her face, seeing the youth there as my fur was soon replaced with skin, leaving me naked before her. She turned away, hiding her face from my sight as I stood there. My voice raspy when I spoke to her.

"Who are you?"

She timidly met my gaze, her golden eyes flickering all around us, as if she were waiting for someone to arrive. My skin began to crawl from the sight.

"I am Rana." She calmly replied, offering me a smile.

"What do you want with me?" I bit back, hostility clear in my tone with her.

"To help you remember who you were... Who you're still meant to be."

I glared at her, feeling the tremors start and my skin heat from her words.

"How do you know who I am?"

Her gaze left mine with clear sadness in it from my question.

"I knew your father - Billy... and your mother."

"You're lying-" I ground out, taking a step toward her as the familiar heat weaved its way up my spine and settled heavily into my limbs. White hot rage making it hard for me to remain on two legs.

"I'm not. I assure you, Jacob. I knew your father a long time ago and I'm here now to help you. If I were here to harm you - don't you think I would have tried by now?"

"You know I'd destroy you first. You are no match for me."

"Possibly, yes." She agreed. "But I could never harm Billy's son-"

The sincerity behind her tone made me look up, my skin still prickling with distrust at her mere presence. I studied her porcelain face, seeing the translucency of it as she drew near.

"You look a lot like her - Your mother. I can see her there in you."

"How did you know her?" I asked, the pain from the imminent phase making me wince now.

"You will know all... later." She replied, extending her hands out to me. "You have to trust me, Jacob."

"Never." I coldly replied, balling my hands into fists. "I was born to destroy you."

"Yes you were - and I promise - I will gladly let you end me- After..."

I met her gaze as she waved her hand in front of me, my body feeling too heavy to move as the blinding darkness encroached upon me.