CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

(JPOV)

My eyes flew open at the feel of an icy cold touch, my surroundings now unfamiliar and my body going rigid as I tried to move away from it. I struggled against the hold, a growl ripping from me with my threat to her.

"Don't touch me! I'll destroy you!"

Rana moved her hands away immediately, her face falling from my tone. "It is not me that's holding you down, Jacob. That weight you feel is from the spirits. They have control right now."

"Where are we?" I asked, trying again to move and letting out a frustrated groan with the realization that I couldn't. My whole body from the shoulders down felt completely paralyzed.

"My cabin. I brought you here."

Realization flooded me from her words, my eyes closing as I tried to focus harder on the ability to move, but it was useless.

"What have you done to me? Why can't I fucking move!? You claim you know of my kind, so you know that your venom won't change me - it will kill me. So if that's your plan-"

"I told you before, Jacob - I am not here to harm you. I wouldn't-"

"Don't pretend like your kind are harmless. You're a bloodsucker!" I yelled, feeling like a damn prisoner in my own skin.

She went mute at this for a moment, retreating to the far side of her small cabin. I glanced around, noticing the many pictures on the walls. I quickly scanned over them, seeing her in many and noticing how different she looked compared to now.

"Those were taken a lifetime ago." I heard her whisper, her eyes meeting mine with sorrow in them.

She soon reached out for one and took it in her trembling hands, her expression unreadable when she drew close to me again, holding the photo out for me to see.

I stared at it in disbelief, stunned to see my father and mother in the photo with her on First Beach. Her eyes held life and her smile was bright with her arms around my mothers neck, all of them laughing at something when the moment was captured. I swallowed hard at the lump forming in my throat and the ache in my chest from seeing my mothers happiness in the picture.

I turned my head from her and sucked in a sharp breath when Rana began to explain.

"Your mother was my very best friend. Like a sister to me, Jacob. We grew up together... went to school together... shared more memories than I could count and more heartache than either of us deserved."

Her tone caught my attention upon the last word and I turned my gaze toward her.

"I don't remember you-"

"It's okay, Jacob. I didn't expect that you would. You were barely four when I saw you last. So young. I was in the room when you were born. You and your sisters were Sarah's whole world."

I closed my eyes, wincing at the memory her words brought forth for me while she continued.

"Sarah probably never told any of you kids about her father... your grandfather?"

I shook my head, noting the fear that crossed her features at the mention of him.

"When Sarah fell in love with your dad - William- Her father had been irate. He was never a kind man, Jacob. Always expressing his anger with his fists and cruel words. Sarah was no exception to his cruelty."

My blood began to boil when she met my gaze again, her words making anger light up within me.

"When we were teenagers... we both lived close by and she would run to my house in the middle of the night when her father got too mean for her to take. She would crawl through the window to escape it. My own father wasn't known for his kindness, so we understood each others pain. She was always there for me-"

"He would beat her?" I asked through gritted teeth, a low growl leaving me on the last word.

"Yes... and when she met Billy - he found some of the bruises her father left behind and threatened to kill him if he didn't stop. But that never came to pass because your father got down on one knee and moved Sarah into his house on the Reservation and she never looked back. We continued to be close after they married, but - then- I met a man myself. His name was Braeden. He was an intern at the local hospital. Was being trained by a Dr. Carlisle Cullen."

My head filled with a vision of Bella the moment she spoke the last name and I bit back a snarl in response. I took notice of how Rana's voice got smaller when she mentioned Braeden to me and I saw her flinch, as her golden eyes became fixed on mine.

"He was dark and mysterious. I was drawn to him. He offered me the finer things of life... expensive cars, clothes and trips I could never afford on my own. Your mother was eager to meet him at first and had invited us over for dinner, but your father knew what he was the moment he saw him. He pulled me aside and told me to be careful but I disregarded his warning. Sarah had advised me to listen to Billy but I refused. I couldn't leave him alone... he had a hold on me. He was-"

"... a cold one." I finished, seeing her nod in response.

"He demanded I stay away from Sarah and William, told me they weren't good for me to be in company with. That your father was somehow dangerous. Sarah and I grew apart because of it, months and months would go by without me seeing her until- ... one night- she stopped in before her shift at the hospital. She begged me to leave him, telling me he would hurt me if I didn't listen to Billy. I called her paranoid... and crazy. Even accused her of being jealous. I was blind."

"She came to warn you of him-"

"Yes she did and Braeden caught her before she could leave. He was furious and became violent at her accusations. She told him that she knew what he was and that he didn't fool her. His eyes changed right before me and he took hold of her by the throat. I tried to get him to release her but his strength was unmatched. It was then that I knew what your father had warned me of was true. When your mother returned home later that night and told Billy what happened, he was outraged and he paid Braeden a visit, told him he knew he was a cold one and threatened his very existence if he ever touched Sarah again. Sarah offered to take me in then and let me stay with you all at the house... but-"

She paused, turning away from me before speaking any further. My body began to shake with the violent tremors that rocked through me now.

"Tell me." I demanded, making her jump from my tone.

She remained silent as the wolf tried to consume me whole, every ounce of my being now surging with rage.

"It wasn't supposed to-"

"Rana!" I yelled, feeling the heavy weight lift from me as the wolf began to claw its way back out, leaving me submerged in bone breaking torment from the approaching phase.

She turned back around at my demanding shout, her eyes full of such regret that I knew they would be filled with tears if she could still cry.

"He caused her crash, Jacob. Braeden followed her on the way home from the hospital and he killed her-"

I screamed as the wolf took firm hold of me, my body being thrown to the floor as I tried to keep from phasing there in her cabin, my protest of it so painful that i could barely breathe. My whole body shook and sweat poured as I tried to stay on two legs.

"Your father... he knew that her accident was intentionally caused and he destroyed Braeden, but not before he found me first."

I let out another scream, feeling the bones shift within me as I tried desperately to keep the wolf at bay.

"Don't give into the phase. He will make it harder for you to come back to the man you are. The spirit warrior in you doesn't want you to have control, Jacob. You have to fight him. I'm here to help you."

I felt her touch on my arm and tried not to flinch away from it this time.

"I'm so sorry. I wish I had the ability to change the past and bring Sarah back for you, Jacob."

Agony tore through me as I tried to get up, every muscle in my body feeling shredded.

"How can you help me- Rana-?"

"My abilities can help you take control over your wolf again and force out the spirit warrior. I will show you. But you have to trust me, Jacob. I would never bring harm to you."

"What do you expect in return?" I asked, my voice strained as I pulled myself up from the floor, seeing her reach out to steady me better.

"I only ask one thing of you in return... To destroy me once you are freed. Please, Jacob. I hate this existence. I never wanted to be this-"

My eyes met hers, seeing the true plea in them and I couldn't help but nod to her in agreement, knowing she may be the only one who could help me now.

A/N: Okay guys, it was time for another update tonight! I hope you all enjoyed reading this! Please let me know what your thoughts on Rana are. Should Jake trust her? Can't wait to hear your feedback! Thank you! Look for another update tomorrow :-)