A/N: Hello again. Just a quick note- As zuzuviolence so kindly pointed out, the story line for the last chapter got a bit mixed up when I mentioned the meeting the Volturi since at this point in time in the series Bella had not met the Volturi. I'm sorry I didn't explain this better, but that meeting had been forced soon after Bella and Edward professed their love. It was basically a warning from Aro to change Bella soon. Sorry for the confusion. Now onwards with the story!!
P.S. The italicized words in quotation marks are direct excerpts from Twilight, therefore by Stephanie Meyer, not me.
Bella POV
Edward brought me as far away from humans as possible for my first hunting trip. I was almost excited about trying out my new strength and speed, but I held back and followed Edward's lead. It was the first time I'd been able to watch him hunt and his grace was magnificent. The whole situation seemed almost natural, like a lion attacking a zebra, and I kept this in mind as I prepared to drink the blood of assorted forest creatures. First, I pounced on a deer, since they seemed to have an abundant population. I sank my teeth in to its furry flesh and savored the warm flow that ran down my throat. At first, the drinking further fueled my craving for blood, but eventually the burning need that sparked in my chest and mind lulled. After two days, I felt rejuvenated and stronger that before, and Edward and I started back towards the house.
We traveled at our vampiric speed peacefully for a few hours, however Edward abruptly stopped somewhere around the third hour. He turned his head to the right and tilted his nose in to the air. I stepped up next to him and repeated the action trying to decipher his intent. My nose was assailed by an extremely unpleasant scent that was like a mixture of wet fur and mold. I scrunched my face up in disgust and a light smile played at the edges of Edward's mouth. The scent grew stronger and I began crouching in to an inconspicuous attacking stance, but a gentle hand on my shoulder lifted me back up. I looked towards Edward questioningly and he just tilted his head to the side as if to say my questions would soon be answered.
He was right, and within moments a large wolf-like creature appeared in front of us. I couldn't understand why Edward didn't want me to attack this peculiar creature; it seemed like a good challenge to me. I crouched once more, for some reason suddenly filled with anger that this creature was so close to us. I looked back to Edward's face, but his gaze was fixed intently on the creature's eyes which seemed to be pleading towards me. Those eyes, they looked strangely familiar. Suddenly Edward spoke.
"You're mistaken, Jacob. No boundary lines have been crossed here," he said his voice stern but calm. Jacob. The name sounded familiar as well. Abruptly, my eyes clamped shut, and my strange process of regaining memories came once more.
"He looked fourteen, maybe fifteen, and had long, glossy black hair pulled back with a rubber band at the nape of his neck. His skin was beautiful, silky and russet-colored; his eyes were dark, set deep above the high planes of his cheek-bones. He still had just a hint of childish roundness left around his chin. Altogether, a very pretty face."
"He smiled to show me how little stock he put in the histories. 'Another legend claims that we descended from wolves-and that the wolves are our brothers still...'"
I gasped for air, as my lungs ignited, but my throat closed stopping any breath from entering. My eyes popped open, and I struggled to realize where I was, but the pain was disorienting. I whipped my head to the side and made out some unusually large dogs, which were eagerly, snapping their jaws on a mess of flesh-James
I peeled my eyes open with a gasp and Edward's head snapped to the side, eyes gushing concern. I looked away though and in to the eyes of the wolf, now realizing why they were so familiar. They belonged to Jacob Black. But they also belonged to a werewolf. I stood up straight and an ease came to the wolf's eyes. I slowly advanced towards the him, trying my hardest to repress my urges to flinch at the horrendous odor. Edward followed me, obviously displeased with my actions. I squatted about a foot in front of Jacob and looked at his face straight on.
"Jacob." I whispered. I could feel Edward tensing next to me. The wolf bared its teeth, but it was more like a smile than a menacing gesture.
"Yes, Bella, it's me," Edward translated in a forced tone. "I'll be back in a moment," he continued, his voice almost pained. Jacob disappeared and I stood and walked towards Edward for a moment. He looked at me with a blank and stony expression on his face that I couldn't decipher.
"What did you mean 'no boundary lines were crossed'?" I asked deciding to leave the topic of his sudden anger for a later time.
"Our kinds don't really mix Bella. We all seem to have an unsatisfied hatred for each other. Except for you that is, but perhaps that's because you knew the dog before your transformation." I noticed the bitter tone he took on when saying 'dog'. "Despite this, the Quileutes and our family have kept up an agreement for a long time which enables us to both live close to one another in peace," His voice had returned to it's normally smooth state. "However, tensions are high lately, and they're just waiting for someone to cross the border in to dog territory." I was about to ask him why that was but his eyes left mine and focused on something behind me. I spun around and saw Jacob in his human form wearing only shorts. He seemed taller and more muscled that I remember. His boyish roundedness had disappeared and was replaced by strongly defined cheekbones and a taut jaw. I had to admit, he was handsome, but Edward despised him and so I decided to be cautious.
"Bella," Jacob started staring in to my changed eyes. "I can't believe I let this happen." I leaned back questioningly, but he continued. "If only I had known that you were changing, I would have stopped it then and there. This…" Jacob gestured between himself and me. "…is so much more complicated now that you're transformed." His voice was pained and I wanted to help him but I didn't understand what he meant. Edward put his hand possessively on my shoulder and a small growl escaped his throat.
Jacob looked up and smiled a half-smile. "What's wrong leech?" he taunted. "Can't handle a little friendly competition?" Edward's gaze grew angry and his whole posture became stiff.
"I could if there was anything remotely 'friendly' about your kind, but there's not." I was surprised by the intensity of Edward's anger. What did he know that I didn't? Jacob's hands began to tremble and he looked behind him as if hearing someone. He whipped his head around again.
"I have to go," he said gently, looking at me. Then he raised his gaze to Edward's and sharply added, "But don't think that this is over," and then he disappeared. I stood and turned towards Edward who was still tense.
"Let's get home. The others will be wondering where we've been," he said without removing his eyes from the spot where Jacob had been. I raced off and heard him follow soon after.
A/N: Please review! And IMPORTANT NOTE: I will not be updating for at least a month because I will be working in Kenya for a while and it's nearly impossible for me to take the time to write fiction while there. Sorry for the wait, but I promise to update as soon as I return!