Epilogue is coming next. I hope you guys enjoy.
"Do you think she's following us?" Bella asked Jacob. The pair sat, staring deeply into the tree line. The time had come for Victoria and her army to arrive.
"Nah. Not now at least." Jacob shrugged, taking a bite of an apple. Bella watched him with a smile. "This time tomorrow, though? We'll be out there. And ready too."
"You'll be careful out there, right? You all will?" Bella added quickly. But mostly you.
Jacob laughed and a little piece of apple flew out from his mouth. "Of course, Bells. We have a plan. It's not a suicide mission."
Bella shoved him in the arm. Of course he didn't budge an inch, but he still smiled that smile that told her everything would be alright in the end.
No one had anticipated it. It was a new danger that came abruptly. Snow. And lot's of it. Inside their tent, Edward watched his love with a pained expression. Bella shivered and shook in her sleeping bag. Unable to comfort her due to his icy skin, Edward pushed himself as far away from her as possible. It wasn't enough.
"Love," Edward spoke, getting Bella's attention. Her shaking face was surrounded by her sleeping bag, "I'm going to call Jacob in. Maybe he can help."
Bella nodded and let out a teeth chattering, "Please."
"Jacob, please come in." Edward spoke in a normal voice, no one other than a supernatural would be able to hear it over the howling wind. The zipper of the tent flew open and Jacob hopped inside. He didn't shiver, though he was shirtless and only in his cut offs. Looking up at him, Bella marveled at his body, Edward was built like a marble statue but Jacob was all man, warm muscles flexed in his arm as he zipped up the tent door. "Jacob, would you please keep Bella warm? I can patrol the area. Then you could both get some sleep."
Bella's eyes shot up to her fiance. Edward would usually never let Jacob and Bella alone together, due to Jacob's affection for Bella. Now, of course, Edward new that Jacob's affection was no longer romantic; Jacob was no threat. Jacob nodded to Edward, "No problem. Move over Bells."
Bella did as he asked and moved over in her large sleeping bag. Jacob unzipped the side and squeezed in. Immediately the area was flooded with heat that Bella nearly threw herself on. The warmth felt so nice, such a nice change from the cold she was used to. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and laid his head on the pillow. A minute later he was asleep.
"Don't worry, love." Edward gave her a loving smile from the doorway of the tent, "His intentions are pure and I won't go far."
Before he left Bella gave him a smile that felt more like a grimace. She turned in the sleeping bag, not an easy feat seeing as Jacob took up so much damn space, to face Jacob. Watching him, she finally understood why Edward loved watching her sleep so much. Watching someone you love sleep is a sweet gift, to get to see them at their most peaceful, their most vulnerable. Bella imagined waking up to his face everyday. His arms were warm around her and made her feel safe and loved. Envy for Melanie shot through her heart and she was suddenly so glad Edward could never read her mind.
Morning light cast it's shine through the thin walls of the tent. The first thing Bella noticed was the absence of the freezing wind from last night. The second thing she noticed was the absence of heat. She new before she rolled around, easily of course, that Jacob was gone from the tent. Slowly she put she boots on and ventured outside. Snow covered the ground, the trees, everything. It was really quite beautiful. From the corner of her eye she saw the flicker of a fire, where Jacob and Edward sat discussing plans. They both looked up at her and smiled before turning back to the map Edward held in his hand. Bella marveled at how they acted around each other. Mortal enemies acting as equals, friends. Bella walked over and sat down on a log next to Edward, watching the rise and fall of Jacob's brow from across the fire as the pair spoke. On the other side of the fire, next to Jacob, Seth Clearwater sat in his wolf form. He shook his head, flapping his ears. Bella smiled at him. She couldn't imagine what this was like for him. Seth was just a kid, only fourteen. He lost his dad the same day he phased and suddenly he had to step up as man of the house. Now him and his sister risked their lives for her. They all did.
Bella was taken out of her thoughts by Edward's cool voice, "I'll do one last quick scope of the area before you leave. And once again, congratulations Jacob."
Edward gave Bella a soft kiss on the forehead before he ran off to the trees, faster than she could see.
"Congratulations on what, Jake?" She asked.
Jacob was silent for a minute, "I asked Melanie to marry me. And she said yes."
Bella's mouth hung open and before she could stop it she spoke. "What? Jake you can't be serious! You're sixteen! You guys have barely bee together two months."
"I'm not a normal sixteen year old, Bella!" Jacob said, shooting up from his seat on the log across from her. "I'm Alpha! I run a Pack! This is the path my life is supposed to take. You're marrying the blood sucker and you're only eighteen!"
"That's different Jake!" She practically screams at him but she doesn't know why it's different and when he asks her she has no answer.
"Just stop what you're doing to me! Stop looking at me with those looks you give! Stop glaring at Melanie! You're my best friend Bella, stop acting like a child." He spits the words at her and they sting more than any venom.
"Jacob, I," Now or never, "I love you!"
She throws herself on him, her lips landing on his own. They are warm and soft and unmoving. Still, she presses herself into him, trying for a response that won't come. When she pulls away, breathless, his expression is pained. She presses her palm to his face and whispers, "Come back."
He does not meet her eyes but nods before following Edwards path into the forest. When Edward returns minutes later he smiles like he doesn't know but she's sure he does. She does not move from her spot until Victoria comes.
It is over. It is all over. Bella's arm stings and, though it's stopped bleeding, dried blood cakes it. But it is over. In the fire, blazing red, Victoria burns. Seth yowls. Edward gasps. Far away in the clearing Jacob is shattered. Bella does not get to see him before they load him into the bed of Paul's truck and race for La Push. Edward wraps his arm around her and tells her it will be ok. It is not ok. But it is over.
Two days pass before anyone outside Carlile or the Pack gets to see Jacob. As soon as she gets the chance Bella is walking into Jacob and Melanie's home. The house doesn't carry the same welcome feeling it had just a week ago. Of course no one wants her there, they don't try to hide it either. They have no reason too. She nearly had their Alpha killed and there is no doubt they all know about the kiss. A rush of guilt floods over her.
The door to Jacob's bedroom is open. In a kitchen chair Melanie sits facing her imprint, Paul stands behind her with his hands on her shoulders. A growl roared in Paul's chest as Bella stepped in.
"It's ok, Paul." Melanie put her hand over his own. She turned to face Bella, her red eyes finding Bella's brown ones. She had been crying, her cheeks were still wet. "Besides, the two of us need to talk."
Paul growls once more as he passes Bella and then there is nothing but silence and Jacob's deep breathing.
"His bones had to be reset." Melanie speaks first, both girls have their eyes on the sleeping Jacob. "I opted to stay in the room while they did, he needed me there. He's in and out of sleep but he's healing normally. It's hard to see someone you love in pain."
"I'm sorry." Bella squeaks out before biting her lip. She doesn't quite know what to say.
"Jacob told you about the wedding?" Melanie asks her.
"Yes but I can't see why there's such a rush." Bella clasps a hand over her mouth, unable to control her bitterness.
"My dad is dying of cancer." Melanie's voice is flat, "His last wish is to see his only daughter get married. What's your excuse?"
Melanie finally looks at Bella, her eyes ablaze with an anger Bella has never seen. Out of shock she takes a step back. For the first time Bella sees more to Melanie that meets the eye. She doesn't just see Jacob's imprint, she sees someone's daughter, a person.
"Calm down, babe." The groggy voice of Jacob Black comes from the bed.
Instantly Melanie turns to her love and takes his hand gently. "Are you ok? Do you need anything?"
"Just to talk to Bella alone." Melanie is hesitant but she trusts Jacob, Bella can see it. She gives him a quick kiss before leaving the room, not giving Bella a second look. After a moment Bella goes and sits in her chair.
"I'm so sorry, Jake. It's all my fault." Tears brim over and race down her cheeks. Because all of this is her fault and they both know it.
"It's alright Bells." He tells her in a soothing voice. "I'm going to be fine. It's all going to be fine."
"It still happened. I'm still sorry. And Jacob," She takes a deep gulp, "the kiss. I'm so sorry."
"It's ok Bella. It was," He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, "It was nice to know that it doesn't change anything."
"I love you Jake." She cries.
He lifts his damaged arm and puts it over her hand. "But it's not enough."
"I should go." Bella stands up abruptly and walks to the door. Jacob's voice stops her.
"Love you Bells."
Turning around, tears down her cheek she tells him the only thing she can honestly say. "Love you more."