Are You Happy Now?

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

Chapter Three

Jacob was in turmoil. He gazed at Bella with frightened eyes. After all the warnings Sam, his father and the tribal elders had given him, he considered it too risky. But this was Bella. He would never hurt her. He could be careful. If she kept her distance maybe it could work. But what if he transformed and it was all too much for her. He could lose her anyway. And he would also have betrayed the tribe's secret.

"I don't know, Bells. I really don't know."

They looked at each other helplessly in the dark room, both of their faces hopeless.

"Then I suppose it comes down to a matter of trust, Jake. Do you trust me enough that you can share your secret. If not then you should just probably leave now." Bella finally said.

Jacob sucked in a sharp breath, hurt written all over his handsome face. "That's not fair, Bella. This is isn't just any old secret. It affects a lot of people, not just me. And you…you…." He paused and glanced away from her.

"What, Jake? Just say it."

Jacob leaned toward her, his face shifting from hurt to a worried frown in a second. He stared deeply into her eyes, and his voice was husky with sadness. He spoke the words right into her face, his breath hot on her skin.

"Its just… that more anything I'm scared once you've seen…. that…you'll be terrified of me. I don't think I can live with that."

"Jake, nothing you could do can terrify me."

"This might." Jacob muttered as his face tensed with anxiety.

This time it was Bella who sounded hurt. "I thought you knew me better than that, Jacob."

Jacob took hold of her face in the same way she had taken hold of his. Her cheeks grew warm under his palms. His skin was so hot, though the intense heat was quite soothing. He looked at her imploringly. "You're right. I do know you. That's the main reason I'm agreeing to this."

"So, you'll show me?"

"I'll show you." Jacob closed his eyes and opened them again, as if giving himself courage. "Come on then."

"Now?" Bella startled. She hadn't expected it to be right at that moment. She thought they would meet up in the morning or something. "Jake, it's the middle of the night."

"It's the best time. And its better to do it before the others work out what's going on and stop me. We don't have much time." His head turned toward the opened window as the worried frown took precedence again.

"The others?" Bella questioned. "You mean Sam Uley and his little gang."

"We're running out of time, Bella. It has to be now or not at all." Jacob said urgently.

Bella gazed up at him with guarded eyes as he stood up. He towered above her. Was it possible that he had shot up another few inches since they had last spent time together? His sudden growth spurt was disconcerting. Perhaps it was all linked to the big secret he was about to reveal.

"Let me get dressed."

"No time." Jacob grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "We need to go right now." He was beginning to shake with the urgency of it all. He took a few deep breaths until he was calm again and the shaking stopped. "Let's go. You can throw on your rain jacket on the way out."

"Fine." Bella muttered, giving in.

Jacob's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't want to do it this way. I had to sneak out-I'm not supposed to see you. They've got to be wondering where I am. As soon as I show you, they're all gonna know. Be prepared for the fallout, honey. That's all I'm saying."

"You don't have to tell them anything." Bella hissed indignantly.

"Either way, they'll know."

Anger lit up Bella's eyes. "You can't let them control you, Jacob."

Jacob looked at Bella despairingly. "Bells, you've got it all wrong. It's not Sam's or any of the other's faults. I told you before-it's me. Sam is actually kind of cool. He's helped me a lot. Jared is great…. Paul is just an ass…but Embry's always been my friend. I feel really bad about the things I used to think about Sam." He rambled.

Bella was totally mystified by his change of heart about Uley. She eyed him with disbelief. "Then why aren't you supposed to see me if Sam is so incredibly cool."

"For all the reasons I've given you. Its not safe…but…well…." Jacob shrugged helplessly.

Bella decided to stop making it harder than it already was. "Let's go."

"Thanks, Bella." Jacob grinned suddenly. The grin was not his usual sunny one, nor Sam's, but some strange mixture of the two. He suddenly yanked her-far too roughly-until she thudded against his chest. "Just in case." He muttered into her hair as he crushed her into a bear hug that stopped her breath.

"Jake, ease off. Can't breathe." Bella gasped.

"Oops. Sorry, Bells. I forget my own strength." Jacob dropped her at once, taking her hand again. He took the lead as he opened her bedroom door and tugged Bella toward the stairs.

The last time she had been led into the forest behind her house was the day Edward had broken up with her. As soon as she entered the dark canopy of trees it began to drudge up painful memories. But oddly, with her hand resting in Jacob's warm grasp, the memories faded to a dull grey. And instead, she found herself breathing in every way that it is possible to expand: in lungs, in brain, in soul. Walking by Jacob's side the forest didn't seem so intimidating, instead she felt a sense of kinship with the flora, of an ancient soul that stretches into everything that lives. The tall trees were like towering gentle giants that anchored her to the ground.

As she glanced at Jacob, she thought how much he seemed to fit in this forest, as if he was part of the tribe of wood and leaf, among the giants whose roots hugged the earth. It was a place of ancient souls, of the creatures who dwelled with the sweet sounds of moving water and bird song. She couldn't keep her eyes off him, the way he moved so gracefully for someone his size. Every footfall was silent, every step had purpose. It was exhilarating.

"Right." Jacob said after a time. "Here will do."

"Where's here?" Bella looked around curiously.

"Just wait here, Bells. I'll be right back." Jacob began to back away from her.

"Jake, where are you going?" Bella called after him as he disappeared into the shadows. "Come back."

"I'm not far away, Bells. But for this to work I need you to stay right there. And whatever happens next, you must promise me not to move from that spot." Jacob's voice came out of the darkness nearby.

"Jake, this is not funny. Stop playing games." Bella huffed as she put her hands on her hips.

"Just wait." Jacob called out again. "Don't move."

"Fine." Bella muttered.

Again, she wondered why she didn't feel nervous or afraid. She was essentially standing alone in the dark, with only the pale moonlight filtering through the umbrella of branches above the only source of light. Bella looked around, noting how the seasons had been harsh, stripping away the bark and outer layers of the tall trees around her, yet rendering them even more beautiful. Some had the appearance of driftwood, twisting in wild patterns like a puzzle. Bella tilted her head upward, feeling her hair tumble further down her back; the trees were several houses tall, reaching toward the silvery rays of moonlight. She was completely enchanted.

Then out of the darkness stepped a great russet wolf. Bella's breath hitched as she stared at the majestic creature. For she recognised it instantly. This was the great russet wolf she had stood half a foot from in the meadow, just a week ago. This wolf was gigantic, monstrous, bigger than a bear. It was also the most beautiful, magnificent animal she had ever seen.

The wolf stared at Bella intently, trying to convey something vital with his intelligent eyes. The black-brown, familiar eyes of Jacob Black.

"It can't be!" Bella gasped quietly. "Jacob? Jake?" She took an eager step forward, but as soon as she did so the wolf vanished back into the darkness.

Bella was completely dazed. All she could hear in her head was a replay of the conversation she'd had with Jacob that day on the beach when she had flirted with him in order to trick him into sharing the old tribal stories with her.

"Another legend claims that we are descended from wolves-and that the wolves are our brothers still."

"Werewolf." Bella whispered in awe. "I can't believe it." She supposed she should be afraid, but she felt no fear at all. Just an endless fascination to know more.

But before she could ponder any more, Jacob reappeared. He looked harassed. He took her hand and squeezed it. "I wish we could talk, Bella. But the others are coming. Brace yourself. Here we go."

A/N-thanks for reading!