This is a work of fanfiction, the characters and recognizable elements belong to S. Meyer. Not me. Boo Hoo.

Sorry this chapter took a little long, but there's been a few cases of Real Life-itis going around and every step took an extra day or two. Everything is calmer now, so hopefully it won't take as long. No guarantees.

Thanks to MrsTrentReznor for catching an error in the last chapter, and big love to dirtychicken for being my 100th reviewer! (She got a preview of a Chapter 7 draft before it was posted. Incentive to review!) Also to ohooapoo for nice reviews, but she has her PMs turned off, so here's my thank you!

Please enjoy. I hope it's worth some of the wait. Thank you so much for all the reviews and messages. They mean the world to me.

Jake POV

I felt the light on my face Wednesday morning before I really saw it. Smiling, without opening my eyes, I hummed in contentment, wondering if Bella was awake yet, too. Did she smile before opening her eyes, too? Would I ever get to see her as she woke up in the morning?

I imagined her hair, loose and wild, across the pillow and wrapped around her neck. It was the same hair that had fanned around me as it came loose from the ponytail and tickled my face while she was straddling me, lit from behind by the sunset. The same hair that had spread out around her, pulled completely loose from the band, strands lying across her chest and neck as the deep pink blush spread across every inch of visible skin as she pressed on my arm, arching into my hand.

So soft, Bells.

My eyes fell open and rested on the shirt she borrowed and returned to me when I dropped her off at home. It was rolled up and lying on my dresser where I tossed it before collapsing into bed.

I heaved a sigh and got up, heading to the shower where I'd rinsed off the seawater the night before. Dad had given Bella and me a look when I walked in a soggy mess, but he just started laughing and teasing Bella about making me have to save her every time she slipped on a rock. We were relieved, though I wasn't sure he bought his own story, but I wasn't going to be the one to enlighten him.

I hurried through my shower so I could help my dad. He could get up on his own, but we both preferred if I was there to help in case he got off balance. Clearing my mind of thoughts about the previous evening, I threw some shorts and a shirt on and headed into my dad's room, where I found him lying on his bed with the radio on. He was facing away from the door.

"Good morning, Dad. You okay today?"

He was quiet for a moment and I saw him swipe at his eyes. "I'm fine Jake. There was a song that reminded me of… your mother." He cleared his throat roughly and I helped him get dressed and into the chair. "You have any plans for the day, Jake?"

I thought for a moment. All my plans revolved around so few things: my dad's needs, work in the garage, and Bella. "I have a little more to do in the garage, and tonight Bella's cooking for the fuzz again, so I think I'll go give her a hand. How about you?"

He cleared his throat again. "I, uh, have a little meeting scheduled with a few Council members. Aside from that, I'm going to be my usual bum self." He coughed again.

"Are you sure you feel okay, Dad?" I frowned. Health issues were always a concern for us. "Did you ever get an appointment scheduled?"

He opened his mouth, about to say something but stopped and smiled at me gently. "Jake, I can ask Harry to bring Sue to take a look at me if you're worried."

"Okay, thanks. Breakfast?" I made us both something to eat. Breakfast was quiet, just the morning news in the background. We heard the latest reports of a missing hiker on the Peninsula and where he was last seen along with his description.

"What in the world is going on lately?" I wondered out loud. My dad looked up from his coffee cup and his eyes hardened, but he said nothing.

I cleared his plate and was about to head to the garage when he called me back.

"Jake, I have something I need you to deliver to Emily, Sam's fiancée." He gestured to a box by the front door. "It's some yarns for her work."

Everyone knew Emily's work. She made some of the most intricate wall hangings and rugs in native patterns and they sold very well in the local shops ever since she moved here. Even so, I bristled a little at being a delivery boy.

"Sam's here enough, why doesn't he take it next time he comes by?" My dad looked at me sharply and I felt like a jerk. "Sorry. Of course I'll take it."

"Jake, I wouldn't ask you, but Sam is busy today and someone made a large order of her work to decorate a library. I want to make sure she has what she needs. If you get over there soon, she may even have some blueberry muffins for you."

At the word 'muffins' I moved to find my shoes and keys. I headed to the door and my dad called after me once again.

"Jake, I love you. Be careful."

I didn't hesitate to answer, "Love you too, Dad."

Odd.

I started the car and after a few minutes on the familiar road my mind started wandering back to the things I woke up to. Her heart pounding against my chest as I pulled her along my body and the soft slick skin-

WHAM

The car jolted angrily off the curb I smacked. That was an alignment job. Damn.

I finally pulled up the cabin where Sam and Emily lived. It was a nice and tidy little place, and I had to admit Sam had built a nice place for them. I couldn't help but wonder if it started out for him and Leah Clearwater. Emily's visit to her cousin Leah had somehow turned into a whirlwind romance that shoved Leah out of the picture. I just couldn't wrap my head around that, having seen the bitterness on Leah's face whenever the happy couple was around. Emily seemed nice enough, I didn't really know her well, but I saw no fault with Leah, apart from her vicious tongue at times.

I turned off the car and took the box up to the door and knocked. There was a note tacked on the doorknob.

Emily was out and would be back later, and to just leave the box on the porch.

Damn, no muffins.

I jumped down the porch steps and was halfway back to my car when I heard a voice calling me.

"Black! Hey, Black!"

Paul.

Sam POV

The plans were laid. Emily was gone, Jared and Embry would patrol and then join us if needed, and Paul was confident that the whole thing would take no more than half an hour. We had to prepare Embry for the process early in the morning. The entry of a new mind into the packset could be disorienting at best, and the entry of Jacob's in the state we expected as a result of Paul's prompting could be like setting off a bomb in our heads.

Our oral traditions implied that the hereditary Alphas generally phased very early in the creation of a new pack, able to take their positions and lead before the pack got large enough to involve challenges to his position. In all truth, there was nothing in the stories that led us to believe that leadership ever really changed hands once an Alpha was established at all.

"Why do I have to be the lucky one?" I muttered to myself as I felt my thoughts follow a familiar pattern: I could feel it in my bones; the sense that I was in someone else's spot, the teacher glaring at me to move. "I don't want this. The burden is becoming far heavier than I expected, what with the new members and more to come. This is Jacob's job, not mine, and the moment I can give it to him with any confidence, I will." I'd make him take it the moment he phased if it didn't mean putting others –Emily- in danger.

I paced by the side of my house, feeling caged and helpless. My stomach turned at the thought of Emily being in danger and my inability to do anything to protect her. I worshipped her, and she unwittingly plucked the strings that guided my movements. She would never force me to do anything wrong, I was sure, but she was my imprint and I was her wolf, and therefore I was everything she wanted and needed. How could I lead the pack and defend the tribe if the goddess I worshipped asked me to protect her from harm? I have no choices, and under other circumstances I would be fine with that, as these dilemmas would be taken care of.

Not for the first time, I cursed this bizarre fate that had taken so many choices from me; when the true Alpha came into his own, perhaps things would sort themselves out.

Paul emerged from the trees and walked along the now worn path to the front steps of the house, carefully avoiding the freshly turned and planted ground of Emily's garden. He nodded, glancing to the side as he did and I felt the spark of confidence that I needed. I would need everything to get through this day.

"Is everything set, Paul?"

"Yep. Jared and Embry are wrapping up the first area and should be done in about an hour. I told them they may want to go easy in case they find themselves having to track Jake today, too."

"Right. He may lead us on the run of our lives, but let's not assume anything." I eyed the grim look on Paul's face, the sense of glee gone ever since Billy reminded him of his purpose. "You know what you're going to say? Have a few back-ups?"

Paul rubbed his face and shook his arms like a runner preparing for a race. "Yes, he's pretty wrapped up in that girl. It won't be a problem." He turned his glinting black eyes on me and the smile was back- the smile that only Paul could deliver- and I felt thankful once again that Paul was on our side.

We heard the approach of Jake's car long before we saw it, and took cover to hide on opposite sides of the house. After Jake delivered the box and started towards his car, Paul took his opportunity.

"Black! Hey, Black!"

Jacob turned and did nothing to hide his annoyance at Paul's yelling. I kept to my side of the house, watching to be sure nothing went seriously wrong. So much could go a little wrong, and that was fine. If Paul got roughed up in this process it might be good for him, but I really didn't want to rebuild my house. It was Emily's now, more than mine, which made me even more likely to defend it.

I was close enough that my sharp hearing picked up every word and breath of the exchange that was just beginning, but far enough away that I wasn't going to be a distraction either. This had to work. It had to.

Paul sauntered up to Jake.

"Hey, man. Congrats on getting a girlfriend, she really seems like a sweetheart." Jake froze, but said nothing, mentally examining what Paul had said. After a pause, Paul nodded his head in fatherly approval. "You know, we were a little worried, but I'm glad to see you've chosen the right team." Paul winked and Jake's mouth fell open in shock.

He continued, not fazed by Jake's silence. "You've preferred the rez girls up to now so, why the change in gears?" Paul paused. "Have your tastes been changing?"

Jake took a step towards Paul. "Watch it. You don't know what you're talking about and you really ought to shut up now." Jake started to turn, "I have to go check on my dad. " He mumbled.

Paul was spurred on.

"Oh, it's like that, huh? Maybe you just need a little help?" Jake stopped mid-stride and turned back, his face tight, jaw clenched.

"You know, Jake, like a wingman? I can help make you look good. She won't know what hit her. I'll be a little bit of an ass to make you look smooth, funny but not as funny as you, you know how it works?" Paul made a nudging motion and winked at Jake.

I could hear Jake's teeth grind. "Fuck off, Paul. I don't need your help."

Paul had his next bit ready.

"I hear some of the girls are like that- they like some color in the bedroom." Paul lowered voice to a suggestive tone. "Have you found a girl who likes to go native? Share, dude, that's a find."

Jake's arms began to quiver, and he clenched his fists, glaring at Paul, who knew he'd found a weakness. A bright sheen of sweat was breaking across Jake's face.

"Or maybe she's a little shy? A pretty little flower who doesn't want to open?" Paul stepped nearer. "I could help you out there. I mean, white meat can be a little dry, and I hear you don't mind …leftovers."

Jake's entire body was alternating between perfect stillness and a vibration that blurred his profile.

"Fuck. You. Paul." The words ground out painfully from between his teeth. The beads of sweat were beginning to roll down his face and neck as he fought the fire I knew was building inside him. His head bowed slightly and his body was straining, veins bulging in his neck and arms.

"Really, Black?" Paul smirked and dipped down to look up at Jake and into his eyes. "How desperate are you to take Cullen's sloppy seconds?"

Jake fell to his knees, shaking violently and at risk of phasing any second. Paul leaned over and whispered in Jake's ear so low I couldn't hear him over Jake's hoarse gasps. Jake's body convulsed and he fell on his side, tremors running through him.

"Enough, Paul! Let's pick him up and take him to the clearing!" We gently hoisted him and carried him off, setting him on a blanket we spread over some boughs so he'd at least have someplace to lie down for the last few minutes. These were the hardest moments to watch- I did not see Embry's last hour, and Jared phased the fastest of us all, but I did see Paul's. The brutality of the last big growth spurt strains every tendon and bone, the muscles expanding and bulging with heavy veins to accommodate their demands. Jake had undergone so much change in the past six months, but it wasn't enough for his wolf- it needed even more space to phase, more length to stride with, and more power for the attack.

He gasped in pain; eyes clenched shut and every muscle taut as overburdened rope. Paul and I sat in vigil as we recalled the burning sear that was the last minutes.

The minutes crept into an hour, and we sat, watching Jake's torture. He curled on himself, a massive but tight ball, only to lengthen again in an attempt to stretch the new lengths his frame attained. He had grown another few inches, and gained many more in muscle girth as the time continued to pass. His face became stronger, shoulders more broad, and legs more defined with the heavy planes that the wolf would use to propel itself at blinding speeds.

Three hours passed. Jared joined us, watching and wincing with Jake as the fire raged within him.

"Sam, I know what's happening." Jared whispered, mesmerized by the turmoil.

"I have an idea, too. What do you think?"

"He's fighting it." Jared looked up to face me.

Paul whistled. "You can't fight it. There's no keeping it out."

Jake at that moment let out a guttural, feral shriek and we all jumped. This could not continue. I couldn't let it.

I leaned slightly towards him, and spoke calmly. "Jake, you're okay. No one is hurting you. I need you to relax and let this happen." I paused, watching for any response. If anything it got worse.

"Jake, it's Sam. I swear you are going to be all right. I need you to take a deep breath and let it just come. Fighting is making it worse."

His fists clenched and the now powerful forearms bulged with round sinew under the skin. Jake took in a deep breath, and it came out a growl. The wolf was talking.

"Do you feel that Jake? Let it come in; let it become part of you! It's part of who you are, who we all are!" I leaned over to Jared. "Where the hell is Embry?" Jared hopped up and yanked off his shorts to phase, letting out a howl once his paws hit the ground.

Jake's body lurched violently at the sound of Jared's call, groaning in pain at the motion.

A few moments later Embry's wolf slipped through the nearby underbrush and crouched next to me, submitting while Jared paced next to Jake.

"Embry, don't phase back, we need you. Is there anything coming from Jake's mind yet?" Embry and Jared met each other's eyes and they held silent conversation. Jake let out another cry and rose up on his shoulder blades and heels, back arched high in the air as if he'd been shocked. Jared phased back and Paul tossed him his shorts.

"There's incoherent bits, swear words, and images getting out, but nothing solid. Embry says that's pretty much what it's been like for a good half hour."

"What images?"

Jared looked down. "Some he's conjuring up, but mostly things to do with his girl, and a few others." I raised an eyebrow warning him to keep going. "You and Billy talking. I think he's realizing that his dad knew all along. That and the girl are the things that are really making him fight, I think."

I leaned over Jake, taking his hand in the handshake of a brother. "Jake, listen to me. Yes, Billy knows. He's known the entire time. If you have questions, we can answer them. Don't worry about the girl, she is safe and nothing will harm her as long as we are here to protect her. You can help protect her, too. All you have to do is let the wolf in."

A fine trail of tears slipped from the corners of his eyes and trickled down into the long hair already wet with sweat. We knew pain, and we knew loss, and those were tears no one would hold against him. I felt his arm vibrate and the heat from his skin intensified. I stepped back, releasing his hand, and motioned for the others to move away. Embry stayed nearest and huddled by the body of his childhood friend.

Jake gave a final gasp, and let out a cry that echoed eerily and raised chills on my arms. It was a howl, scream, and roar in one, the sound torn from his vocal cords. His body gave one final shudder and in the blink of an eye, was gone, replaced by a prone wolf that quickly shot to its feet and crouched, defensive and growling. The remains of the clothing we'd left on him were tattered shreds that littered the ground at his heavy paws.

Paul and Jared were moving to shuck their pants, but I held out my arm telling them to stay human. I removed my own shorts and held up my hands to imply no intent to my movements. I stepped back and phased, shaking my fur a bit as it extended.

Jake's growling intensified, but he wasn't communicating yet. Flashes of the images Jared mentioned flew in my mind, some quite disturbing, but most of a loving scene that was clearly his pride but now pained him in the most awful way. He was afraid he'd never see her again.

Jake, calm down. You will see her, but it might be… different.

He growled. No words.

She's safe; Paul only said what he did to help you.

An imagined scene of Paul with Isabella Swan flashed in my mind. The scene was red with Jake's rage and he snapped his teeth in Paul's direction.

I know, I don't really approve, but nothing else would work. You can take a bite out of him later when he's a wolf.

The growling grew softer, and took on a whimper. The scene of Paul leaning over Jake's ear began. Paul's whispered words, "She must have been a worthless gold digging whore for Cullen to dump her like that." Images of her drawn and pale face, careless behavior, and neglect of her father made me ache. Then the months of care and friendship, followed by the last few days…

Now I understood. He loved her. She wasn't just a girlfriend, or a way to pass the time. She was it for him.

Embry had stood motionless beside his friend, nudging Jake's massive shoulder with his own. Jake's head drooped toward Embry's and they exchanged wordless greetings.

Jake, I need you to listen to me. I changed the timbre of my voice, tingeing it with authority and command. He immediately snapped his head up and rolled his shoulders, a low rumble starting in his chest. Shit. He didn't like this.

I'm not giving you an option here, because there isn't one; we are the Protectors spoken of in the stories. We defend the tribe and all who need our help. I flashed my own interpretations of the old stories, Taka Aki through Ephraim. I replayed images of Billy telling stories by enormous fires and his answers to our questions at little meetings the pack held with him for guidance.

Do you understand what we are and what we do? I replayed the questions I asked of Embry and how he met my challenge, hoping to elicit a similar response. There was time to worry about rank later.

His chest puffed out and he spoke for the first time.

Don't you think I fucking know the stories? Are you really going to sit there and tell me what they mean? He stood and hunched in a posture that meant business. I had to get control of him quickly.

Jake, sit down. Now.

Piss off, Sam.

SIT. DOWN. NOW.

Jake's body trembled, the long shaggy russet fur waving back and forth from it. He growled but his body slowly obeyed my command. He sat, glaring at me, having obeyed but not really submitting.

I could live with that for now. I didn't want to risk breaking his internal drive to be Alpha, but I also needed him to follow my instructions. If he was going to hate me as he did it, that was just fine with me.

We had work to do.

Bella POV

Is it possible to glow? If it was, then I certainly had a rosy tint to my face all morning. It wasn't a blush, just a little flush that made me look alive when I glanced in the mirror. I knew Jake would be working all morning, so I just let it be until lunchtime. My resolution didn't stop me from staring at my new phone every few minutes wondering if I'd missed a call.

Charlie would be bringing the crew for dinner again, so I made plans for dinner and decided to make a big fish fry. They might as well help me clear some space in the freezer in addition to giving Dad a good reason to go fishing again, so I set the multitude of filets in the fridge to defrost during the day.

I fussed and wasted time until it was close enough to mid day that I figured Jake was breaking for lunch. I really hoped he would come for dinner. Maybe he could drive over early and we could...

That train of thought led to blushing. I wasn't sure I could be in his physical presence gain without seeing his face, clenched in beautiful release, or thinking of my own pleasure.

A tremor ran through me and I was acutely aware of what the sensations meant now. I wanted him near me, to hold him, but most of all I just wanted to see his smile. My dreams the previous night had been full of his warmth, all heated skin and hands and... Oh, my.

A shudder overtook me, having no connection with the warm thoughts of Jake I was having. My dream the night before, while mostly full of rich skin and stroking touches on my body, I felt something else. Something I had not felt in a long time.

I felt watched. It reminded me of the vague unease I felt before I knew Edward was watching me. But now instead of feeling loved and cherished I felt violated and perhaps even like a target of something more sinister. It was vague, and I wondered if Jake felt something like this around that group of giant Quileutes that seemed to stalk him.

I shook my head, trying to physically dislodge the feelings so I could get on with my day. I reached for my phone and dialed Jake.

"Hello?" Billy's voice was shaky when he answered.

"Hi Billy. Is Jake around?"

Billy hesitated. "Uh, he's not here right now, but I expect he'll be back later. I asked him to run a few errands for me..." Billy's voice trailed off uncharacteristically.

"Is everything okay, Billy? Do you need something?"

"No, no Bella. I'm fine. I'm a little worried, Jake sounded under the weather this morning. I just hope he's not coming down with anything." Billy's voice was sad but dismissive, and I still wondered if anything was wrong.

"I'm sorry, Billy. Can you let Jake know I called? I'll try again later."

"Sure Bella. I'll let him know. Bye."

I pressed end and sighed. I would have to wait to talk to him.

I had plenty to keep me busy, and easily burned the afternoon fussing around the house with a movie on in the background. When I called trying to reach Jake around four in the afternoon, the message was basically the same and I resigned myself to the possibility that I might not see Jake that day.

As I was lifting the last of the fish out of the oil, my dad setting out the coleslaw and other dishes for our guests, the phone rang. I wiped my hands down the apron that had caught the spray from frying before I answered.

"Hello?"

"Bella?" I held my breath. "It's Billy. Jake got home, but he's been pretty sick and he really can't talk." My exhale was loud and my dad turned to look at me questioningly. I waved my hand and he nodded, knowing I'd tell him later.

"Is he okay? Is there anything I can do or bring?"

"No Bella. In fact, you probably want to stay away for awhile, there's been a nasty bug going around out here."

"Oh, like Embry?" I recalled his absence from the bonfire.

"Exactly like Embry. It's pretty miserable. I'm so sorry, Bella. Next time he wakes up I'll make sure to tell him you called and you're worried about him."

I desperately wanted to see Jake, talk to him and touch him just to prove to myself that he was real and okay. But as long as he was all right and Billy was there with him I was confident and could relax.

"Thanks Billy. Please remember to tell him. I'll try calling tomorrow."

We said goodbye and I turned back to the table full of plates and hungry detectives. With a smile I didn't completely feel but didn't have to fake either, I delivered the platter piled high with golden brown fried fish, courtesy of the Chief. It was well received and I even got help with the dishes from Drew, but would have much preferred the company of someone else.

Drew and I chatted and let the 'old guys', as he referred to them, retreat to the living room and talk. I tried to eavesdrop, hoping to catch a shred of the conversation to enlighten me as to the connections they had, but there was a basketball game on and being a mere human I could not make out anything clearly. I thanked him for his help as I put the last of the dishes away and excused myself to go make one last phone call.

It was about nine o clock, and as late as I ever called Jake. On the third ring, the wrong voice answered once again.

"Billy? Is Jake doing any better?" My anxiety for him leaked into my words. I didn't even say hi to Billy.

"He's resting Bella, and he'll be okay, but he's not able to talk. Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine, Billy, thanks. This must be some stomach bug. I'm pretty lucky I guess."

"I think you're safe from this one, Bella. Don't worry too much. He'll be okay."

"Thanks Billy. Bye." I went to press the end button when I heard Billy's voice call me, and I got hopeful that maybe Jake could come to the phone.

"Yes? Is he up?"

"No, but..." Billy hesitated. "You know he cares about you. Very much, right?"

Surprise stopped any words I might have had ready, and I felt my eyes sting with moisture. Was he that sick? Or was something else going on?

I gathered enough wits to form a reply. "Yes, Billy. I know. I... care a lot about him, too."

"Good. He-" I started to interrupt him to ask what was happening but he cut my question off. "No, Bella. Just know that no matter what, he still cares about you. Just remember that."

"I... I will Billy. Please tell him I called?"

"Of course Bella. Good night."

I pressed the button and suddenly felt very vulnerable and exposed. I crossed my room to close the curtains over my window and, glancing out and seeing nothing but the shadows cast by the yard light, pulled the fabric along the rod.

Jake POV

It went on for hours. I was so tired I could barely see, but still no rest. Embry cheered me on as I learned to find the calm place inside me and become my human form again, only to have it slip from my grasp and become the wolf once again. I felt broken from the inside out, my arms and legs aching but thankfully no longer straining to break through the skin anymore. The fire that raged and scorched my bones had cooled to embers, keeping out the night chill and making me comfortable.

As comfortable as I could be, given that I was a dog.

Sam and Jared gave me no time at all to contemplate my fate, drilling me over and over, cramming my head full of information about patrol schedules, trails they had discovered, methods of dispatching the enemy, and safe houses among the tribe where we could crash and catch a meal if we found ourselves in trouble.

What kind of trouble? I wondered.

I was immediately rewarded with images from Jared's mind of Paul's naked ass cowering up to the Clearwater home in the middle of the night, starving and tapping at windows until Harry came to the door with a pair of shorts for him.

You know, trouble. What you're not seeing is that he destroyed every pair of pants and shorts he owned that week because I kicked his ass and then he kept getting pissed off about it. Jared yipped, laughing and replaying the fight.

Embry hopped and playing his own version. Busted through and shredded every piece of clothes he owned and had to start hitting up the Elders for anything they could spare. Quil's gonna be pissed when he realizes Paul's been wrecking his own reserves for him!

WHAT? I stopped concentrating so hard and popped back into human form. Embry phased after me followed by Jared, who had been watching my progress up to this point. Sam had left to run an errand and Paul, irritated now at our topic of conversation, was out on patrol.

"Oops... Wolf's out of the bag, I guess." Embry looked down sheepishly and got a glare from Jared. Jared sighed and turned to me, yanking on his shorts and tossing Embry his.

"Jake, you aren't the last one who's going to join us. Quil has shown all the signs of getting ready to phase, too. Old Quil keeps an eye on him and says you could cook an egg on his forehead but he's not sick."

Embry laughed. "Yeah, he keeps an eye on him when he's not handing out his shorts to Paul."

I sat on a log shaking my head and, for the first time in what felt like days, had my thoughts to myself. There were so many threads to connect, so many stories that were true, so what did that mean for my reality now? What did it mean for Quil, Embry, and...

I could not allow my mind to go there yet. It was too painful because there was no way she could accept this, no way she could understand. I was a monster now, something that had no place in her life and there was no way I could be near her.

The images crashed in my mind. The sheer bliss of the night before, eating with my dad afterwards, saying good night and having it seem so much... more than it ever had before. It was full of promises and plans. So much for fucking plans.

I felt robbed. Something I wanted for years was taken away from me not because I screwed it up, and not because someone else was better to her, but because I was destined to fulfill a role based on my birth and I had no control over it. I felt myself begin to shake with the strong emotions and I quashed it. If it was going to be this way at least I could make it work.

Jared and Embry both stared at me, about to pull their shorts off again, but seeing me exhale slowly, staying in one piece, they relaxed and complemented me.

"Dude, that was nice! It took me more than a day to phase at all and only Sam can stop it completely!" Embry clapped me on the back. Jared nodded in approval.

We all turned to face the path that came to our clearing and, sensing Sam's approach, I stood up. Jared and Embry both glanced sideways but I did not, preferring to meet his eyes silently. He nodded at us all, holding my gaze the longest before speaking to Jared.

"Is he stable?" His voice was tense but collected.

"Better than most of us. He just stopped a phase." Sam's eyebrows shot up, but said nothing for a moment.

"Do you think he can go home? Handle a night indoors?" Jared looked thoughtful, and he nodded. "Take him home. A night at home with his dad will be good for him." Sam looked over at me, and walked over to face me directly.

"Jake, go home and get some rest tonight. Tomorrow we have a lot of ground to cover and a big meeting. Talk to Billy in the morning, he can help you more than we can now." Sam put a hand on my shoulder and I noticed that mine was the only unmarked skin in the group. "You can get your mark tomorrow, too. The spirits have claimed you, now you have to claim them. Will you?"

Sam let his words hang, just resting his hand on my shoulder, waiting. I saw him give this talk to all the others in his thoughts, saw him tell the stories and introduce the new guy to the world we never knew we were surrounded by.

I knew the stories. I knew the consequences of turning down an offer from the spirits. I also knew what they asked of those they favored with talents- everything. They wanted all of me, and there would be little to spare for anything else, for Bella.

What did this mean for her and me? Was she lost to me the first time the fire raced up my spine? I had inherited a bloodline of power, full of tradition and honor and it would have been a privilege a hundred years ago, but now it was a bad joke; like waking up in the school mascot costume and not being able to find the zipper to get out.

I had to try.

"The people I knew before this. What do I do? Can I stay in contact with them?"

Sam hid his surprise well, but there was no mistaking the fact that I was the first who asked him a question after getting The Question. He weighed my question carefully.

"You can keep your friends, but to tell them what we are-what you are- is forbidden. You will find that this makes maintaining friendships outside of the pack difficult, but I will not stop you." Sam softened his face minutely. "Talk to your dad, Jake. He's dealt with this from all of us at some point. Tomorrow is another day, and it's going to be busy. I have a lot more to tell you so go get some sleep." Sam turned away and I felt my breath even out, the exhaustion of the day blinding me once again.

I stumbled on my way out of the clearing where I had spent the long day and much of the night. I could very clearly see the clock inside Sam's house through the window as we came out of the trees. It was past midnight of a very long day, and I felt every minute of it in my body and mind. I understood now the weeks of watching, the constant presence of Sam in my house, and Paul...I wanted to tear him to pieces. I saw in their minds that they had all had a sparring match with him at some point, usually because he provoked it. I actually looked forward to it.

Embry had my keys and he handed me what clothes survived my phase. Sam had been nice enough to strip off my shoes, shorts and shirt, so I only lost my boxers. I gathered from the guys that they didn't even bother with them anymore, so I wasn't too worried about it.

As Embry drove me home, mercifully keeping quiet, my mind wandered a little more. So we were the protectors. We protected against vampires.

Vampires.

Sam and the others had been very guarded about that part, not giving details, but instead drilling me for hours until I could control my phasing. So I'd learn more tomorrow. Fine.

My dad would still be up, so I couldn't get too loopy, but I couldn't talk tonight. If I tried, I'd just chew my tongue and mumble at this point, I was so exhausted. I understood Embry's face from the garage now, too. I had no doubt I looked at least that bad if not worse.

We pulled into the drive in front of my house and I was surprised that I could not make out the flicker of the TV in the front window. That meant my dad was either not here or was asleep. As soon as I was out of the car my brain was confronted with a mix of information. The sky had become heavy as the storm was building again, I could smell the ozone wafting and the rain smell approaching, though it was still an hour away.

I watched as Embry flipped his shorts into a tight roll and strapped it to his leg before waving to me and walking to the trees. So that was the way we carried our 'luggage'. My feet dragged and kicked up piles of gravel as I approached the door.

It was unlocked, so I dumped my shoes and shirt on the floor just inside and tried to process the new assault on my senses. My dad was here, asleep in his room, and breathing softly with a touch of congestion. Other people had been in the house and the knowledge that had flooded my now expanded mind told me it was three people: Sam, Harry Clearwater, and Old Quil.

What on earth had Old Quil been doing here?

It didn't matter. I stumbled to my room and found a note on my door. Dad left a bunch of pizza ready for me in the fridge, along with some leftover casseroles and other things that Harry brought from Sue.

My stomach prodded me, reminding me that I had not eaten for a day, but I was so tired and numb from everything that I didn't even care anymore. I was more tired than I could ever remember being, even my eyes burned from being open.

I opened the door and immediately fell to my knees. A wall of the most potent and comforting scent poured like a liquid from the room into the hall.

Bella. How could that be? Was she here?

She wasn't, my tiny room could not have hidden her for long, and I couldn't hear breathing or her heartbeat, but her aroma was as thick as fog. I scanned the room, looking for the source and my stinging eyes, now near the point of watering, focused on the little pile of fabric on my dresser.

The shirt. She had worn my shirt at the beach when the storm cooled air blew in from the ocean. She wore it all evening, and during our lovemaking. Her sweetness permeated the fabric and I buried my face in it, inhaling deeply as the weight of the day crushed me.

I sobbed, keeping the shirt close to me, and laid on my bed. It wasn't fair. I was going to lose, and I didn't even get to try to fight. I curled myself around the softness, hugging it to my face and neck like a child with a favorite blanket, and whimpered myself into lonely oblivion.

So, did we like our Paul? Audience participation came from LucyFerina (wingman lines), Amanda Wilder ('leftovers' and charming ethnic comments), little furry cannibals (sloppy seconds and more charming ethnic comments), Wolvescaneatme (white girls and dark meat) and ofcrazily (a little of everything). These ladies reinforced that I was going in the right direction and actually spurred me to go ahead and mention the Cullens. I was scared to at first, but it worked out! I also thank Amanda Wilder for the word 'packset'. I hope you don't mind, but it was simply perfect.

Poor Jake. Leave him a get well soon message by hitting the button. I'll pass along your love to him and Diamondheart, my magnificent Beta. Thanks for reading.