A/N: Not much I can say before we start this one. I was sad that I only got two reviews for my last chapter. Am I getting that boring? Hopefully, after this chapter the reviews will pick back up.
JACOB
I patroled from eight o'clock at night until four o'clock in the morning. It was hard to spend those eight hours not thinking about what I was going to say to Bella. I knew the others would hear and Sam would find out. He'd probably go alpha on me and ordered me not to go. He wouldn't have understood. Bella and I needed this. If I was ever going to be able to truly be happy with Alyssa, I had to make sure Bella didn't hate me.
When Jared came to relieve me, I went home to get a few more hours of sleep before going to see Bella. The entire run home felt off. I had the feeling something was following me but whenever I turned around nothing was there. I couldn't even smell anything. I waved it off as paranoia. Billy was asleep when I finally got home, so I just crawled into bed without bothering him. I slept until nine thirty that morning.
Billy was still asleep then. I was glad for that because then I didn't have to gon through the trouble of lying to his face. I knew if I told the truth, he'd tell Sam and I'd be stopped but I had to do this. I grabbed a pencil and some paper and scribbled a note. I told him that I needed to go for a drive to clear my head and I didn't know when I be back.
I drove the speed limit through Forks. Normally, I'd go at least ten over but I still wasn't exactly sure what I'd say to her. I was trying to give myself more time to think. Once again, I got the feeling that I was being watched but I couldn't see anyone or catch a scent. I, once again, shrugged it off as paranoia. Looking back, a hour later, I wished I would've paid more attention to it.
All too soon, I was pulling into the Cullens' drive. I still hadn't completely thought through everything I was going to say. Slowly, I got out of the car and headed to the door. Before I even reached it, Edward had pulled it open. I could tell he was very angry but I wasn't afraid of a stupid bloodsucker.
"I thought you weren't supposed to come here?" Edward growled.
"No, the treaty says that Bella can't come to La Push but it didn't say anything about me coming here." I started standing directly in front of him.
"Well, I don't want you to be here." he stated. "You've hurt her too much already!"
"Look, I'm sorry for what I had to do." I stated. "It's not like I asked for any of that to happen. I was perfectly happy with Bella. It's not my fault I'm stuck with this curse. But I really need to talk to her."
"And why is that?"
"Because I don't like the way things ended. We were both really angry. I said somethings that upset her and I just need the chance to tell her that I'm sorry. I need her to know how I still feel about her. Please, just let me talk to her."
I couldn't believe I was practically begging him. Yet, if it got him to let me talk to Bella, I'd get on my hands and knees. Edward chuckled.
"As much as I'd like to see that." he said. "I'll tell her you're here and want to talk but if she doesn't want to see you, I won't force her."
"I suppose that's fair." I replied. He stepped out of the doorway so I could come inside.
He disappeared up the stairs before I was even fully in through the door. I shut it and turned to find an empty living room. I heard muffled conversations in other areas of the house so I knew everyone was home. I didn't think any of them wanted to be in the same room as me. Bella came down the stairs a minute later.
"Hi, Jake." she said with a slight shake in her voice.
"Hello, Bella." I replied looking at the floor.
"I thought we weren't supposed to see each other outside of treaty business?" she questioned.
"That's what Sam and the Edlers want. That's not what I want." I stated. "Besides, I needed to see you because there are some things we need to talk about."
"Like what?" she asked.
"I was hoping we could walk?" I said making it sound like a question.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Edward stated coming to stand next to Bella on the stairs. "Under the circumstances, I mean."
I was outraged at the implication of his statement. Did he really think I couldn't protect her? I had already done a better job than him.
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting her from bloodsuckers." I stated. "Or have you forgotten, I stopped the two you left her to deal with on her own."
Edward let out a growl and prepared to attack. I started trembling and had to take a few deep breaths to keep it under control.
"Stop!" Bella yelled. "Jacob, that was uncalled for. And Edward, it's okay. I still trust him with my life, even after everything that's happened."
"Just be careful." Edward said relaxing after a second. "And you dog, if there is one hair out of place on her hand when you come back, I'll rip your throat out."
I rolled my eyes as Bella gave him a peck on the cheek. Once she got down the stairs, she lead me out the back door of the house. It was surrounded by trees and we headed off into them.
"So what's up?" Bella asked.
"First, I want to apologize for what I said in there." I began. This was a lie, of course, but I had already gotten this off to a bad start by making that comment. I wanted to make the slate clean. "I know that he had his reasons for leaving. It was just a little insulting to hear him imply that I couldn't protect you."
"I accept the apology." she responded with a slight blush. "But you have to understand that it's not you. Edward is just so over protective when it comes to me. Especially with another vampire targeting me. He doesn't think I'm safe if I'm out of his sight. Alice has to fight him when she wants to take me out."
I nodded. I could understand his concern. I knew Bella well enough to know what a danger magnet she was. If I was still with her, I'd probably feel the same way about the situation. I know if Alyssa was in this situation, I wouldn't let her go anywhere without me. She was just that important to me. Just like Bella was just that important to Edward. Of course, Bella was very important to me but I knew if it came down to her life or Alyssa's, I'd get Alyssa first then send Edward back for Bella.
"I also wanted to apologize for the things I said the day I broke up with you." I stated. "I know that the Cullens didn't choose their existence either. I actually kind of admire them for not being the monsters their kind are supposed to be." That was a fact I'd never admit to anyone but Bella. "At the same time though, it's in my nature to hate their kind and that makes it easy for me to blame them for all the pain that comes along with the werewolf package."
She looked at me sympathetically and then smiled.
"I understand Jake." Bella said. "I know that you guys only get along for my benefit. I appreciate that, I really do. And I understand about the imprint. It isn't anything you have any control over. I know that you never had any intentions of hurting me. I just want you to be happy. If Alyssa makes you happy, then I'm happy for both of you. I wish you both the very best."
I could see a tear running down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb.
"I can't say that I wished I'd never met Alyssa but that wouldn't be true. I'm so glad that she came into my life and I love her with my whole heart and soul. In fact, if their was an emotion greater than love, I would probably describe it as that." I stated and I could see more tears trying to force their way out. "That doesn't mean I don't love you because I do. I always have and always will. Alyssa is my life now, yes, but that doesn't mean you can't be an important part too. I would still do anything for you Bells. I want you to know that I'm still here if you now and always will be if you ever need me. I still want to be your friend, Bells."
"I still wanna be friends too, Jake." she said trying to choke back her tears. "I know we can never be like we were before but we can be somehting different. I still love you too even if I'm back with Edward...."
I stopped listening to her because a new disgusting scent filled my nose. The whole place reeked of the Cullens but this one wasn't theirs. No, I had a feeling that it was Kyle. I felt my body begin to tremble involuntarily and looked back at Bella who looked terrified.
"Run back to the house. Send as many of them as you can. And don't leave until one of us comes back." I said urgently.
"Why?" she asked.
"Just go!" I nearly snarled.
She turned to leave but it was too late. I boy who didn't look much older than sixteen with brown hair and red eyes appeared behind. Before Bella could even move, the man grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back. She let out a whimper of pain and fear. He wrapped his hand around her throat and put his lips to her ear.
"Hello, Bella." he whispered. "We meet at last." At those words, I knew this was the bloodsucker, Kyle. She trembled as he nipped at her ear.
"J-j-jake r-r-r-run!" she manged to stutter.
Before I could do anything, Kyle flicked his right hand and I was thrown back into a tree. The last thing I remembered was Bella shouting my name and everything went black.
A/N: Well, what did you guys think? My next chapter is going to be this scene from Bella's P.O.V. I know you guys hate those but sometimes, I find it helps the reader get a better grasp on each of the characters emotions at certain points. ::Gets Down on Hands and Knees:: Please,Please,Please,Please review!!!
