Disclaimer: I do not own any rights whatsoever to the Twilight books or characters.
Warning: It's M for a reason, people!
Author's Note: Just want to say THANKS for all the wonderful reviews – a special shout out to ardxela! You made me smile all over.
Jacob showed up at Sam's house still in the sweats he had on from the night before. He didn't even bother going by his place for a change of clothes because he knew Sam would be wondering where the hell he'd been all night. He roared right up to the front porch and cut the engine to the Harley. With the stealth and quickness of someone who was a wolf in men's clothing, he vaulted over the porch rail and landed right at the front door. He tapped once, and then let himself in.
"Emily? Sam? You all here?" he asked, peering around the door jamb. He certainly didn't want to catch the couple in a compromising situation. He winced remembering big ol Emmett busting up the session from last night. Talk about substitution for a cold shower. His dick had gone limp instantly, and he was scrambling like mad to find his sweats while the big bear laughed long and hard.
"Jake!" Sam suddenly appeared from the bedroom, "Where the hell have you been?"
Just as he predicted.
"Uh. I was hanging out with Bella . . . and Edward," Jacob replied, leaving out a WHOLE lot of details.
"Over at the Cullens? What are you? Best friends now?" Sam asked with a dark look on his already dark face.
"Let's just say that me and the bloodsucker came to a truce of some sorts."
"Really?" Sam replied, folding his arms across his naked chest. Due to their body temperatures constantly running 8-10 degrees higher than normal, the pack rarely wore shirts.
Avoiding the question, Jacob changed the subject to pack business, "So what's up? Was there something I missed?"
"You could say as much," Sam grunted. "You know you're second in command for a reason. And that reason is to show up to meetings when you're suppose to!"
Jacob grimaced and said, "I would rather the whole 'second in command' not be advertised."
"Oh, don't want your girlfriend finding out?"
"She's not my girl . . . friend, exactly . . . " Jacob said, faltering at his words. What in the world had he just said? Sam cocked an eyebrow and looked hard at Jacob. "What do you mean she's not your girlfriend 'exactly'?"
"Nothing. Just drop it. She's with the vamp, you know, or did you forget that?" Jacob said, trying to cover up his flub.
"No, I haven't forgotten. Who could, with the way you moan and carry on about it all the time?"
Jacob suddenly thought of something, and he blanched under his dark skin. Once he transformed, they would KNOW. They would KNOW what he and Bella , , , and Edward did! Oh, my God! What was he going to do?! He was completely and utterly fucked.
"Jake? Are you all right, man? You don't look so good," Sam stated, reaching out to steady the teen who was as tall as he was at 6'4.
"It must be where I haven't eaten," Jacob said. It wasn't a lie. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. Bella. GAH! He shook his head. Must stop thinking about her, or Sam will completely get suspicious!
"Well, here. Sit down, and I'll get you something. Em's not here. She's gone to visit her family. Won't be back for a week, which is a good thing with what's been going on in the area," Sam said as he rummaged in the fridge and brought out cold cuts, cheese, and bread for sandwiches.
Jacob sat at the table. "What do you mean? Is this what I missed last night?"
Sam placed all the stuff on the table in front of Jacob, so he could fix what he wanted, nodding as he sat down in the other chair. "Yes. It seems the Cullens' vampire Victoria has been spotted in the area."
[Author's note: I am making it where it's only Victoria hunting Bella – not all the newborns.]
"Shit. When did you find out?" Jacob asked, putting a sandwich together and taking a big bite.
"Last night. She's smart. Circles around, doubles back, criss-crossing her trails constantly to confuse us. Her scent is practically all over the forest. She's biding her time."
Jacob gulped down the last of the sandwich and stared on a second, "Well, we have to tell the Cullens."
"I'll leave that up to you, since you are best buddies with them now," Sam said this with only a hint of malice in his voice. Actually, he had grown to respect the vampire family – especially Carlisle. He didn't know if he could fully trust them, but he did respect them.
"Bella's gonna freak, that's for sure," Jacob mumbled around a mouthful of ham. Not to mention Edward going all psycho. He certainly didn't relish dropping this bomb on them.
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Edward drove Bella back to Charlie's in silence. They hadn't really spoken since their conversation about her conversion and what Jacob would say. She hadn't even thought about Jacob, and for that she felt really horrible. She knew he would completely be on Edward's side, and why wouldn't he? He wasn't a vampire, he was still human . . . partially. Take away the whole changing into a wolf. She stared out the window of Edward's Volvo, watching the scenery go by with blank eyes.
Edward gripped the steering wheel and stole a glance at Bella. She had her face turned away from him, so he couldn't read her expression though he knew it wasn't one he wanted to see. The solace he had was Alice and Jasper still had not come back from their hunting trip, so Bella's threat of getting Alice to change her was a moot point. Of course, Alice would be back, and then he knew Bella would start all over. He just couldn't understand why she was in such a damn hurry to be undead. There was no way she could understand the finality of her decision. Was she not thinking about her father and mother?
"Edward."
Her voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he turned to look at her. She was gazing at him with mournful eyes, and he hated when she gave him that puppy dog look. He smiled though. He didn't want her to think he was angry with her. He wasn't. He was fearful – of her determination.
"Yes, love?" he asked.
"I'm sorry for bringing up my conversation. I know how you feel, and I know what we've discussed. I just don't want to get any older. How would it look for a 30 year old woman screwing around with a 17 year old? They'd put me in jail!"
He couldn't help but laugh.
"It's not funny!" she retorted, "You can't stop the hands of time!" He arched an eyebrow at that comment, and she realized what she said sounded utterly ridiculous. "Well, YOU can, but you won't do it!" She ended in a huff and went back to boring holes through the passenger side window.
"I suggest you ask Mr. Black his opinion on the 'hands of time'," Edward murmured. By this time, they were pulling up in front of Bella's house. She sat still with her hands folded in her lap. She studied her palms for a few moments, and then spoke quietly, "I don't want to die and leave you here without me."
"Bella. If you die, I die too. There is no way I could exist for the rest of eternity without you by my side," Edward said, taking her hair and tucking it behind her ear. He leaned over and breathed against her cheek, and she closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. "I love you Bella Swan. Never doubt that."
"Edward . . ." before she could say anything more, he caught her lips in his and kissed her soundly, making her breathless – ready to swoon. Swoon? She felt like the heroine in some Victorian romance novel. Suddenly there was a "tap-tap" on the window, and they broke apart suddenly. Jacob stood there, and he didn't look happy. Edward rolled down the window.
"Jake! What's going on?" Bella asked, feeling all flushed and somewhat guilty.
"We need to talk. All of us," he said grimly.
Edward growled low. Jacob didn't make the effort to conceal his thoughts. Victoria.
Bella looked from one man to the other, knowing they knew something she didn't, and whatever it was, she wasn't going to like it. She knew that for certain.
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Stay tune for Chapter 4! Will Victoria have her revenge, or will the pack and the Cullens get to her before she gets to Bella? And remember, Bella still hasn't talked to Jake about wanting to be undead . . . and just where the hell are Alice and Jasper?