Disclaimer: I don't own 'Twilight' or any of the characters!
Rating: T
Pairing: JB/EC
There isn't much going on in this chapter and it is pretty short, but I'm thinking that things are definitely going to be heating up in the next chapter ***I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE A BELLA POV IN THE NEXT CHAPPIE!*** Her part in the story is very important, it will answer many questions and present new ones just like everything else. Thanks so very much for everyone's support! Thanks for all the fav. author adds, fav. story adds, reviews! Trust me! reviews are love so keep 'em coming! let your buddies know about this lovely little work of art (that y'all made possible) now, onto the story....
Chapter 3: Your New Beginning
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(Jacob's POV)
The rain was pouring heavily, dripping rhythmically through the thick leaves of the tall trees. Every once in a while there was a low rumble of thunder about five miles away. The storm wasn't going to be intense or life threatening; not much lightening as there was thunder. I sat quietly on the fallen trunk of a once massive tree, hidden deep in the forest. It was a bit sad to know that something so great was now dead and rotting, the roots weren't attached anymore. I felt connected to the fallen tree. I felt that my roots had been ripped from the ground as well.
I looked down at my hands, examining them for what would be the first time in my…undead life I suppose you could call it. They showed light, pale brown skin with an even tone--downright perfect. I couldn't see my arms, they were covered by the dark green sleeves of an old, but nicely preserved sweater, courtesy of Emmett Cullen. We weren't the same size by any means, but I assumed that he'd wanted to do something nice for me like everyone else. Jasper Cullen had donated the dark jeans I wore, more expensive than any article of clothing I'd ever owned in my life. Esme Cullen offered me her company incase I ever felt like talking….Alice Cullen offered the same, but she seemed to really want to be my friend, (no matter how annoying I found her), versus Esme who wanted to be like a mother to me.
Edward Cullen? Well…I hadn't seen much of him since I had woken up two days before. I could smell the lingering scent he left behind--lavender and earth--but that was it. I wasn't avoiding him, but I knew he was avoiding me, the sight of me--of my eyes…they were no easier to look at just two days later.
When I'd left the room Carlisle Cullen had given to me for the first time, I was a little wary to show my face, all too keen on Edward's reaction. Everyone must have heard me making my way as slowly as possible down the stairs, because they had all been waiting for me like I was going on my first date or something….
(Flashback)
Immediately six pairs of eyes were on me when I came into view. Never before had I ever felt more intimidated in my life…well…except for when I'd been human and Bella had come around with Edward for the very first time…. Anyhow, I hadn't been prepared to be greeted so suddenly.
"Hello Jacob…I'm Esme Cullen, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Not once did the strikingly beautiful woman take her eyes off of mine. I didn't even detect a trace of disgust or fear that had been so blatantly exposed on Edward's face that first morning. I found myself feeling at ease and comfortable after we shook hands, I was surprised…only for a moment…that her hands didn't feel icy at all. "I must be as frozen as they are," I thought to myself, watching as she motioned to someone behind her.
This vampire actually shocked me when I got a good look at him. His pale, otherwise smooth skin, was covered in what looked like shiny silver bite marks. I could tell that he had been a great warrior in his time, obviously having turned a new leaf when he met the Cullens. We stood in silence for a moment, never a true cloak of quiet actually covering the room, as we could all hear many things, but I was waiting for him to introduce himself.
As if on cue, the pixie-haired one that went by Alice, jumped to the blonde's side and sang out to me, "This is Jasper Cullen and don't worry about his silence, he really likes your eyes." I rolled my eyes, no wonder Jasper chose not to talk, Alice had discretion issues.
I tried to ignore her as best as possible, but I gave a friendly, (or what I hoped to be friendly), nod to Jasper who gave me a small reserved smile in return. Next, with great difficulty on her part, was the one Cullen I couldn't stand out of them all. She was worse than Alice, malicious and snide with her comments, and 'holier than thou' with the way she walked around the place. Rosalie Hale Cullen. She merely frowned at me and turned her head. Perfect. At least we didn't have to speak to each other. "Sorry about her," Alice stage whispered, "she didn't pay attention in the last fifty years of etiquette lessons so graciously offered by our lovely Esme."
Jasper cracked a discreetly amused smile and I couldn't help but laugh outright, stopping almost immediately at the sound of it. I still wasn't used to the melodic tone it presented.
Moving on I didn't miss the smirk that played on the blonde Barbie from Hell's face after I clamped my mouth shut. One day she'd get her just desserts. Her mate, Emmett Cullen was another story. We almost crashed through the back porch when he tackled me ferociously, like a highly esteemed football player…or a huge Kodiak bear. The hug had caught me off guard and I reacted instantly, throwing him halfway across the large room. I immediately apologized, not realizing how strong I actually was, forgetting that I was as hard as marble and couldn't break very easily anymore.
His laugh was like that of a deep baritone, rich with metaphorical honey…I did not just say that. "That's alright, I just wanted to see how strong you were. Being half werewolf, half newborn vampire, I was curious how that goes. I'm Emmett," he said, bounding rather quickly over to me, hand outstretched.
I shook it carefully, "Nice to meet you Emmett. I'm Jacob as you probably already figured and…thanks for the shirt." His smile was infectious, I couldn't stop so long as he kept it in place. Looking at him I realized just how beautiful the Cullens truly were, noticing no imperfections even if imperfections existed like with Jasper. Every hair was in place, all the eyes were the same honey gold, though some were becoming darker with hunger I assumed.
"Yeah, you're welcome," Emmett laughed, stepping back to take his place back beside Rosalie. I also noticed that they were all staring at me too. I didn't really know why, and I didn't really want to know at the moment. That was the moment that would determine the rest of my existence, define my place with these people since I knew all too well that my days with my pack were numbered.
My father had called a mandatory meeting with the Elders of our tribe, a meeting which Carlisle, Edward, and Alice had to escort me…to be disowned. Standing before all of the Cullens minus one, I needed to know that I belonged. At Alice's knowing nod, she was confirming that I was now a part of the family and that I was free to do as I pleased at the moment. I left the living room without a word, faster than the storm we could all hear approaching….
(End Flashback)
I came out of that recent memory in that moment feeling more defined than I had when I'd left the house. So what if my roots had been torn from the ground. So what if my father--my pack--had disowned me. So what if Edward Cullen was scared of me now? Okay…that last one was kind of iffy but, at least I had somewhere to return to. At least I knew that even though these people I'd only ever seen from afar and had just met today were still total strangers, that they were understanding strangers. I think they all at one point, had felt alone and down about their circumstances. I didn't judge them…couldn't judge them anymore and I hoped with all my frozen heart, that Bella wouldn't judge me either.
I heard a strange sound and immediately my head snapped in the direction it had come from. If I really stopped to think about it, I would have said someone had been standing there. "Oh well," I thought, enjoying the feel of the cold rain against my foreign skin, "whoever it was did the right thing."
(A/N: So how was it? I wasn't quite so sure what I wanted this chapter to say, I guess to get a little background on where everyone stands with Jake and where he stands with himself. Don't worry Edward will stop being so frosty and start showin' some lovin' to our precious hybrid! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! *NOTICE* (sorry 'bout that). But don't lose faith! your support is what keeps this story going! Thank you!)