(A/N): First I would like to thank Meech aka immzw4 again for making me sound that good!

Change of pace a little bit with a different point of view.

Hope you enjoy this new chapter.

"A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love." - Henri B. Stendhal

Chapter IV

Jacob's POV

I would never grow tired of this, running like a mad man, well wolf really, without any care in the world. The sun was just rising above the mountains, sending sparkling rays of sunshine through the forest giving it an eerie feeling.

There was me, the wind rushing through my fur, my paws raking the soil with dirt flying behind me.

It had been a week since Leah and Seth lost their father, even if we felt bad for them both, we were all kind glad that Sam told them to take it easy for awhile and keep out of wolf form. They were new to it, but they had to pull their share of the workload like the rest of us.

We had all been missing Seth; his good nature was a boon on the general mood of the pack ever since he joined us.

Leah had always been, well Leah to the cube, and as much as we felt bad for her, it was really putting a huge strain on the pack since she joined us, more so with the tragic event. We were all happier to be running longer patrol with less rest if it meant a little less Leah time.

"Jacob, take the long way around and edge closer to the southern border of our land and close in from the west, I'll meet you around at my place", Sam says to me.

Only the two of us that morning and I loved patrolling with the boss, we were more used to staying as much out of the others business has we could, or at least we weren't talking about it.

As I raced through the forest that I knew like the back of my paw, my mind was racing away from the moment and I started focusing on Bella, and the last week we spent together. I had been good; it took everything I had in me, all my willpower, to keep from trying to kiss her again.

It had been frustrating; every now and then I'd been catching her with that look of pain on her face, and every time it tore at my heart, but I'd been holding back, making her laughs as much as I could.

We had been keeping busy the whole week. I was spent, but every moment with her was a blessing. The best night was couple of nights back, we went stargazing, I brought her to this little place I know near the cliff where we cliff dive every now in then, me and the boys.

I took her there with her eyes closed so it would be a surprise. Well, it nearly turned to disaster when she almost fell on the rocks, so I had to half-carry her most of the way. I hadn't minded. I loved the smell of her hair.

I had brought one blanket to lie on, I hadn't brought a second one, I knew the night would be chilly and guess who would be there to warm her? I snickered back at the memory.

"Oh come on! I've been hearing you and this stargazing shindig for the last couple of days, could you give it a rest! Here I am, reporting for duty and it's the first thing that assaults this poor wolf", Embry groaned as he joined us.

"Shut up Embry or ill improve your running by taking one of your gangly legs away!" I spit back, sounding angrier than I actually was.

"Both of you cut it out. Nice of you to join us, have a nice nap?" Sam inquired, his serious tone cutting our little exchange.

"Hey guys, you should have seen the breakfast Emily had for us this morning", greeted Jared cheerfully.

"Yea, we left some crumbs for you guys, but if I knew I would be again greeted by Jake's fantasy, I would probably have licked those crumbs and left you guys nothing", Embry said jokingly.

I raged inside for a short moment, but I knew they were only joking. I still hated this part like hell, but I knew that my good mood lately wasn't easy for them. Powerful emotions were harder to control.

"Keep pushing and soon your nickname will be tripod", I spat back.

"Ok guys, I am shifting back. Keep patrolling. I will check with you guys soon. Jake, see you in a few", Sam said before we felt him disconnecting from us.

I covered the last mile of my patrol in a flash, I was nearing Sam's place. I shifted back, got dressed and headed toward the house. Even from there, I could smell Emily's cooking. My stomach growled hungrily.

Sam was waiting for me outside, sitting on the steps, his eyes half closed, taking in the sun.

"Been awhile since the last time we had this sunny a day", he said staring at me as I approached the house.

I nodded back, I couldn't wait to head inside and eat, but I knew Sam had something on his mind this morning.

He motioned for me to sit beside him on the steps. A couple of strides later, I sat down.

"Look Jacob, I won't run around it. I am glad you came to me for advice with your business and that you are not pressuring her", he said, pausing for a moment before continuing.

"But, I feel you're distracted, and I need you to be all there. I count on you to show them the way. They look up to you now", he added, glancing sideway toward me.

I took it in. Sam rarely criticized me. Even if he was the alpha of the pack, he still treated me differently.

"Yea, I know Sam. It's driving me insane. Every time I see her all I want to do his kiss her, yell at her to open her eyes, to see me. But you told me to be patient, and I am", I replied sheepishly, staring at my feet.

"I know Jake, and this is why I want you to take a couple of days off, spend them with Bella, or by yourself. You're so tired you can't rein in your emotions and it's distracting", he said, patting me brotherly on the shoulder.

I looked up at him and smiled, it felt good to spend some time with Sam, out of the pack's collective mind.

Sam stood up, slapping a hand loudly on his naked stomach.

"What do you say we go eat that famous breakfast", he added resting both hands on his stomach.

I stood there, looking at my hands, fidgeting.

"Hey Sam, do you think I should make my intentions clear to her, try to force her out of this funk she's in because of that bloodsucker?" I spat the last word, angrily.

He leaned against the ramp of the stairs, glancing back toward the door.

"You would only push her away from you once again. I know it's not easy right now, but she needs time. If you really love her, keep being there for her. Just try to keep it down when you are with us", he added the last part with a small mischievous grin on his face.

"I know you are right. It's just hard you know. I'm not used to being that guy. I usually run on instinct as you know all too well. It's just tearing me apart. He left her broken, in pieces and she is just starting to get herself back together", I added frustratingly.

"The more reason to be patient. If you force her to choose, she will only be reminded of it. Look, I won't lie. You've seen what I thought of her. I don't understand how someone can voluntarily choose to love on of those things. But I've seen how you feel about her. Doesn't it warrant all the patience in the world?" he replied seriously.

I nodded and got up, shoving my hands in the pocket of my cut off black sweats. As I climbed the last two stairs in one stride, he stopped me with a hand on my torso and stared into my eyes.

"Can I ask you a very serious question Jake?" he said clenching his hand into a fist reflexively.

I nodded, unsure about his sudden change in mood. I saw his jaw clench for a moment.

"Have you thought about what would happen if you imprinted on someone else?" he asked through clenched teeth, his eyes closing shamefully.

"Won't happen Sam, it can't. I don't think I could love someone more then her", I answered truthfully.

I had asked myself that question, as I had hoped it would happen to me when I saw Bella again the first time after I had phased.

She was everything I dreamed about. Nothing could be stronger then my feelings for her.

He looked back at me, and shook his head. I knew he wasn't convinced.

I heard the door open and it brought with it a breeze of powerful aromas, blueberry muffins, bacon and pancakes.

"Are you coming inside? Everything is ready." The cheerful mother like voice of Emily greeted us.

Sam eyes suddenly changed, his whole being becoming suddenly lighter, more joyful. He turned toward Emily, gently kissing her on her scarred cheek and took her by the hand heading inside.

I stood a moment on the porch looking at them and imagined something like that with Bella and smiled. Sam was right; I had all the time in the world. I had to be patient. It was harder when I was with her because my emotions often tried to get the best of me.

Well, I had couple of free days coming up it seemed, so I would try to be with her as much as I could. Maybe we could go rent a movie or something. I knew Charlie would join my father tomorrow night for the game.

The sound of the door closing behind them brought me out of my reverie, and I headed inside. My stomach was planning a revolt if I didn't feed it.