Bella's POV

The next day, I made my way over to the reservation and to the address Sam gave me. I'd thought about everything Sam had said the night before and I decided that I needed to talk to Jared again, and this time, I needed to listen to him without running away. I couldn't jump to conclusions. I had to really hear him out.

I parked my truck in the driveway and got out I walked to the sliding door, which was already open. I immediately noticed Sam in the kitchen kissing a young Native American woman that I guessed had to be his fiancée, Emily.

I thought about leaving. I felt like I was intruding by being here while they were obviously trying to be intimate. Before I could make the decision to leave though, Emily noticed me.

"Oh, Sam, stop. We have company," she said.

Sam turned to me. "Bella, hi. Come on in."

"I didn't mean to interrupt. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to come here," I said.

"Don't be ridiculous. I said you were welcome anytime and I meant it. Besides, with the boys showing up whenever they please, you're hardly an interruption. Come in," Sam urged again.

"Thanks," I said before walking through the door.

Emily approached me with an inviting smile. "Hi, I'm Emily. It's nice to meet you. Jared and Jacob have both spoken about you frequently."

"It's nice to meet you too," I said as I briefly shook her hand. "Um, is Jared here?"

"Not yet. He was patrolling late last night, so he probably slept in. I'm sure he'll be here soon though. You're welcome to wait," Sam said kindly.

"Can I get you anything, Bella? Have you had breakfast? The guys ate most of breakfast, but I' sure I can find something," Emily said.

"No, that's okay. I did eat before coming," I told her.

"Come and have a seat, or if you want, you can wait for Jared out back. Paul and Embry are out there now getting things ready for the bonfire we're having tonight. You're welcome to stay for that. We're having a meeting with the council leaders. They'll be going over the legends. Jacob and Embry haven't heard them as wolves yet," Sam said.

"Um, that sounds really private. I'm not sure I should be there," I said as I sat down at the table.

"Of course you should. Yes, it is private, meant only for the tribe and pack members. As I told you yesterday, you're one of us now. Not only are you welcome, but you're encouraged to come. As an imprint, you should know what our tribe is all about," Sam told me.

Just then, I heard someone come in. I looked towards the door and saw Jake there with a huge grin on his face.

"Bella!" he exclaimed as he came over to hug me.

I immediately stood up and went into his arms. "Hey, Jake."

Jacob pulled away after a minute. "It's so good to see you. I'm really sorry I had to stop seeing you. Please believe me, I didn't want to."

"I believe you. Jared told me everything about why we couldn't see each other," I said. There was a time not too long ago where I did feel that Jacob left party because he didn't care enough. I felt like he could've stood against Sam if he wanted. Now I knew though that it was because of the danger.

Jacob stiffened at Jared's name and mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite hear. He didn't sound happy though.

"Jacob," Sam chastised. Apparently he had heard him.

"Bella, why don't we go for a walk?" Jake suggested.

I was about to agree, but Sam beat me to the punch. "That's not a good idea."

I whipped my head around to him. "Why not? You said I was part of you. Doesn't that mean that Jake and I can see each other again? He's around Emily, right?"

"Yeah, stay out of it, Sam," Jake said through gritted teeth.

Sam glared at Jake for a minute and then looked to me. His eyes softened. "Bella, it's not just the danger. Your father has asked Jacob to steer clear of you for a while. He spoke to Billy about it and Billy has asked me to enforce it as much as possible. I obviously can't do it completely, but I can respect the wishes of both your fathers' as much as possible."

I was dumbfounded by Sam's words. Charlie banning Jacob from seeing me made no sense at all. Jacob was like the son he never had. At one point, I'd seen hope in his eyes that we'd end up together. "Why would he do that? Charlie loves Jacob.

"You should ask your dad that. The point is that I'm obligated to follow his wishes as much as I can," Sam said.

"Well, I appreciate you wanting to respect my father's wishes, but I'm eighteen. I can make my own decisions," I told him.

"Great, so let's go," Jake said.

"The answer is no, Jacob. You're not going anywhere with her. I know what you're planning to do and I'm not going to allow it. You're not going to get in the way of an imprint," Sam said firmly.

"This is none of your business, Sam. Back off! She's mine!" Jacob yelled.

I whipped my head around to him in shock. Had he really just tried to stake claim to me like I was his property? "What did you just say?"

Jake looked at me. "Bella, you belong with me, not him. I would never leave you like he or the leech did."

"Jacob, we've been over this. I only think of you as a friend and a brother," I told him. I knew before that Jacob had feelings for me, but I told him each and every time he insinuated the possibility of us being together that I didn't see him that way.

"But we could be more. You don't have to accept the imprint, or you could just be his friend. You don't have to be with him," Jake said.

"Jacob, you need to stop," Sam said in a warning tone.

"No, Sam, it's okay. Jake, it's not about the imprint. It's not even about Jared. Even if there was no Jared and no Edward, it wouldn't change the way I feel about you. I would still see you as a friend and a brother," I told him.

"You don't know that," Jake said.

"Yes, I do. I'm sorry. I love you, but not the way you want me to. I can't be anything other than a friend to you."

"But you can for him? He left you! He doesn't really want you. It's the imprint. He has no control over it!" Jake yelled.

I barely had time to register Jacob's harsh words before I heard a growl. I looked towards the door just in time to see Jared charge forward, grab Jake's arm and drag him out of the room. I went to go after them, worried about them hurting each other, but I felt a warm, firm hand on my arm. It was Sam.

"No, Bella. They're gonna phase. I can't allow you around for that," Sam said.

"They're gonna fight. They could hurt each other," I said concerned.

"Yes, they will fight. Jacob just crossed a line. He knew how insecure you were about the imprint and he used that to his advantage. Jared isn't happy. But he won't let things get out of control. I will join them in a few minutes to make sure of that," Sam said.

"H…He knew how I felt and he still said that?" I asked hurt. I couldn't believe Jacob had actually exploited my insecurities for his own gain. He was supposed to be my friend. How could he do that to me?

"Yes, and he was wrong. What he said was not true."

"I…I think I need to go for a walk," I said before starting for the door.

"Bella…" Sam started.

"No, I'll come back. I just need to clear my mind. I wasn't running this time. I'd resolved with myself to hear Jared off and I intended to, but I was reeling right now from Jacob's cruelty and I needed some time to myself.

"Okay. I'll let Jared know when I see him."

I nodded and walked out the door.