Because my persistence paid off, I was soon on the back of a giant wolf, running towards, what I had previously been told was, Embry's howling. It was a strange feeling, to be riding on the back of your werewolf boyfriend. It was odd to say the least, but I had to admit, his fur was rather comfortable. So I burrowed in and listened to the rushing wind and the soft thump of his heart against my ear.
Before I knew it we had stopped running and when I looked up we were face to face with another giant wolf, obviously Embry, and others were slowly gathering.
From what Jacob had explained to me about their wolf powers, I would assume that they were talking right now, and I couldn't help but feel extremely out of the loop. I soon realized that the big black one that had entered was Sam, and the look he was giving me was of extreme disapproval, and I knew he was drilling Jacob, poor guy. I kind of felt sorry for doing this, but my reason was logical, and my mind was set. I wouldn't put innocent people in danger on my behalf.
All I could do was watch them. They were really amazing creatures. Huge and muscled, with wolf-like features, and the size of a large bear at the very least. I noticed that Jacob and Sam towered over the others, especially the runts which I assumed were Collin and Brady. I could quickly pick out Quil as well from the way he was moving around anxiously, as though he was ready for a good fight. That was so Quil.
Once it seemed that everything was worked out, Jacob turned and headed back into the tree's since we were in a decent sized clearing. A little ways in he stopped and I could feel shaking beneath him as his fur seemed to retract into him. It was slightly horrifying, but soon, I was simply clinging to the back of my more than beautiful boyfriend.
"Wow, that was impressive," I muttered, I heard him laugh as his hands reached for me, pulling me off his back so he could look at me.
"Thanks," he said, then his face was all business. I didn't like it, I liked joking Jacob better. "Embry hasn't actually seen Sebastian, but he has picked up on his scent, after following it, it seemed to disappear."
"So you lost the trail?" I asked, slightly horrified, he nodded his head sadly.
"Don't worry, we'll find him, and as long as you're with me, you're safe," he promised. I just nodded, not able to fully mask my worry and fear. Sure, I didn't want to die, but when weighting my life against Jacob's, his was far more important.
I slowly reached for his hands, grasping them in mine. They were so much larger that it was really rather funny.
"Please be careful, Jacob," I murmured, bringing his palm to my face and kissing it gently. He sighed, moving his hands so they cupped my face, forcing me to look at him.
"The only thing that matters to me is keeping you safe," he said, I frowned.
"Ya, well, the only thing that matters to me is keeping you safe, and I can't do that! Do you know how frustrating that is?" I cried. I could feel my eyes becoming damp. Man, I really was a wimp. "A-at least you're able to protect. I-I can't even do that. I-I just have to sit back and watch! It's-" He held a finger to my lips.
"You've already done so much for me, Drina. You have saved me, do you know that? I was a complete mess before I met you. My heart was shattered, and you took the pieces and put them back together, better even than they were before. Drina, the least I can do is love you and protect you. That's all I can give you for giving me so much. Giving me hope, and love I thought I'd never have. Do you know how frustrating it is knowing I will never be able to fully give you what you deserve? Now that's frustrating," he said, his dark eyes boring into mine. I found myself shaking my head, but he held it still. "Yes, Drina. You have already done more than I could ever have even wished for. Now it's my turn. It's my turn to protect the person who made me whole again. At least give me that, at least let me prove how much I love you. You've proven yours over and over again, every single day, now it's my turn. I want to show you how much you really mean to me," he said.
"But, Jake-" I moaned, he silenced me again.
"Please, Drina," he begged. I just stared at him, the tears flowing freely now. He gently brushed them away.
"You don't need to prove anything, Jake. I just… I don't want you to die! I-I can't lose you!" I sobbed. He sighed, pulling me to his chest. I clutched him back with everything I had.
"I won't die, Drina," he whispered.
"How do you know that?"
"Because, it's a dozen to one. We have the upper hand here," he explained, I wasn't convinced.
"That doesn't mean shit," I protested.
"Then what do you want me to say?" He asked. I sighed, frustrated.
"I don't know."
Silence fell between us as we held each other.
"I need to get back to the pack," he said, pulling away from me. I let him slip from my arms, my face expressionless.
"Ok," I responded simply. He gave me a concerned look, but phased and waited for me to climb on. I did, feeling numb. I couldn't stand being mad at Jake, I hated it, but he just didn't understand, he couldn't understand. He didn't comprehend what it felt like to be powerless, to be able to do nothing at all but sit back and watch. It was driving me crazy, eating me up inside… but he didn't know, he didn't get it. Then I remembered something.
"Jacob?" I whispered into his fur, I knew he could hear me. "Do you remember what it felt like, when you loved Bella, but couldn't have her? How helpless you felt?" I questioned. He was silent, but it was a silence that was filled with understanding, he did remember. "That is how I feel right now, Jacob, helpless, I-I can't do anything to help. I just have to sit back and watch. I-It's driving me crazy! I know I'd be killed if I went up against Sebastian, but… if it were either of us to die, I'd pick me." At this he growled, stern and low. He definitely wasn't happy about that conclusion, but it was the truth. I didn't want to lie to him, not even to appease him, he needed to know how I felt.
"I'm just telling you the truth, Jake," I murmured, stroking his fur softly, by now he had stopped running. He could still talk to the guys, so there probably wasn't anything new yet.
We were silent for some time before he turned and nuzzled the top of my head gently, reassuring me. Knowing him, he was trying to say something like, "I won't let you die! Are you nuts?"
Ya, I could see that, but he couldn't talk right now, and that I was thankful for.
"You know, you're really just a big puppy dog," I stated, petting the top of his head, he snorted. "You're just a softie at heart." He growled in defiance. I'm sure he was rolling his eyes too. "It's true," I grinned.
"He's only soft around you," came a cold voice, Jacob spun around to reveal Sebastian standing a ways away, leaning casually on a tree. How did Jacob not smell him? I was in shock, then, a soft breeze blew my hair in the direction of Sebastian.
Damn bastard! He made sure to come up on us from the opposite direction of the wind so Jake wouldn't pick up his scent.
I could feel Jacob growling under me, and I stroked his fur carefully, trying to calm him.
"What are you doing, Sebastian?" I asked icily, he just chuckled, his bloody eyes focused on Jacob.
"I thought I told you not to be surprised when you saw me again," he stated.
"Why were you at the Cullen's, why did they let you stay?" I asked, I could feel Jacob grow alert below me.
"So many questions," he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I was there visiting Carlisle of course, we may not be friends, but we are friendly enough acquaintances. He would never kick me out of his home."
"That's because he fears you, isn't it?" Jacob stiffened, whilst Sebastian laughed.
"I'm sure that is part of it, yes," he answered.
"Why do you want me?" I asked, bent to keep him talking, at least until the guys got settled in.
"Why indeed," he nodded, a malicious grin breaking across his flawless face. "First of all, I am a tracker. Once I am set on a target, I go after it, no matter what, the chase is what makes it fun. Bella and Edward should be able to explain it in detail. It seems they dealt with one in the past, another acquaintance of mine, James, and Victoria I heard to. Second, the scent of your blood is much too delicious to let slip away," he sneered, licking his lips suggestively, I couldn't help but gulp and shrink into Jacob who growled menacingly.
"Now, now, there's no need to get angry. We're just talking right? She asked, and I provided an adequate answer," Sebastian said, holding up his hands. "I will not harm your people if you simply give me what you want, but it was definitely smart of you to bring her with you, without others around my threat doesn't have as much force," Sebastian complimented. I couldn't help but feel proud of myself, that was my idea, even if it was him that was praising me.
"So all you want is my blood? That's all?" I asked, Jacob growled again, at me this time. I must have been degrading myself too much, but to give blood, that didn't seem like such a bad offer, considering our circumstance, still, there was an extreme likely hood that I would end up dieing.
"Yes, that is all, in respect, of course. I did plan on making you my mate if I didn't kill you. You would be a very interesting vampire, Drina," he said, bowing his head. Jacob growled again, his stance turning defensive, as though he was trying to keep Sebastian away from me.
Just then, there was a rustle in the tree's, and the other wolves slowly appeared, but I knew there were a lot more hidden in the foliage.
"So, I see you invited your friends this time, wise choice," Sebastian said, still as brazen as ever. I noticed Sam staring intensely at Jacob, then, as second later, I was clinging to Jacob's back as a man. I could tell he didn't like being human around him, he slid his hands down my legs to cup my knees. I flexed my legs around his waist and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face into his shoulder.
"Why do you want her so bad?" Jacob asked viciously, holding my legs tighter than necessary. They would start hurting soon, but I didn't protest.
"Other than her blood and the chase? That I am not quite sure of. I do not think there is another reason. Simply the fun of the kill, and the delicious snack afterwards," he said with an evil smile, licking his lips. I cowered against Jacob, hiding my face in his neck.
"I won't let you have her," Jake growled.
"And why not? What does this mortal mean to you? You are a wolf, a hunter. Your duty is to kill me, Carlisle explained the relation. So why would this useless girl mean so much to a monster like you?" Sebastian sneered.
"He's not the monster, you are!" I cried, glaring at him, he smirked.
"Oh, I think you are confused, young one. He is as much of a monster as I am. He is unnatural like the rest of us. Werewolves shouldn't exist, just like us."
"You're wrong!" I gasped, gripping onto Jacob tightly. "He wouldn't hurt me, he wouldn't-" but this time, it was Jacob who interrupted.
"He's right," he said softly, barely audible. "I am a monster, but I also won't hurt you, Drina, you know that," I nodded, kissing his skin softly.
"I know, Jake," I assured him, he sighed.
"No matter how this turns out, I won't hurt you, but killing these things is my duty. Don't think poorly of me," Jake pleaded, rubbing a hand along my calf.
"Never," I promised. He nodded, then turned his attention back to Sebastian who was watching us with a satisfied smirk.
"I'm not handing over Drina, so it looks like you have to no choice but to fight us," Jacob said, resolved in his decision. I couldn't help but groan in his ear, it had to come to this.
"Hmm, I see, that is a very sad thing. If you had only handed over the girl we wouldn't have had any reason to quarrel, but if you insist," Sebastian sneered, crouching down into an attack stance. "I'll take you all on and not even break a sweat."
"Drina, be ready for the phase," he said, referring to him turning into a wolf, I nodded, too scared to respond. What would happen to the guys? I didn't want any of them hurt.
"You cause so much trouble, don't you, Drina? Doesn't it bother you? Putting all of their lives in danger," Sebastian sneered, my heart throbbed painfully. Of course I cared, and I hated it.
"Don't listen to him, Drina," Jake said, "we can handle this, don't let him mess with you."
"Who's messing? I was simply curious. She must really be a heartless creature to not care about anyone else's life but her own." Stay calm Drina, he was just trying to make you mad, and he was doing one hell of a job, thankfully Jacob had a tight grip on my legs, just in case I couldn't contain it.
"You don't know anything about me," I growled, letting a hand slip protectively over Jacob's heart.
"Oh, but once you're like me, we'll have plenty of time to catch up." This time, Jacob growled, crouching slightly, preparing to run.
"I won't let you have her!" Jacob cried, barring his teeth, looking more beast than human.
"Well, I don't think I said I was giving you a choice, did I?" With that he lunged for us. I screamed, but swifter than I could have imagined, Jacob was a wolf and we were bolting through the tree's. I was in such a state of shock I could barely hold onto him as we ran. Sebastian must have been close behind because I could hear growling, tearing, and booming. I was so overwhelmed I had nearly lost all logical thought. The only thing I could process was that I was scared. I was frightened, for me, for Jacob, and for the rest of the pack.
We had been running for a while, and my brain was still jumbled, but I could tell that the noise had died down slightly, from the wolves that is, but the spitting and tearing sounds of Sebastian seemed to have increased.
Oh my god, what do I do? What if he already defeated the other wolves? Quil, little Claire would miss him so much, I couldn't do that to her. Sam, Emily's knight and shining armor. Paul, Abby's sunlight. All the young wolves that would get hurt, the hard core Leah, broken. I couldn't stand it, I had to do something!
"Jacob… I love you, and, I'm sorry," I whispered in his ear, and before he had time to react, I let go of his back, flying off and landing onto the hard earth.
There was then a series of noises as I lay huddled on the ground, my head covered and eyes closed. I knew Sebastian was nearing, and the cuts I had inflicted on myself only made the hissing approach sooner. But there was the sound of wolves, very loud wolves. I think they must have been fighting, but I was too afraid to lift my head. Sound thundered around me, intensified by my already fogged brain.
Too soon I was dragged harshly from the ground, a steel-like grip grabbing the front of my sweat-shirt.
"That was not a smart decision," Sebastian sneered, his sweet scent attacking my nose as I stared into his blood red eyes. This must be it, must be the end. I only hoped that he would in fact kill me and get it done with, quick and simple. Maybe I could even ask him to snap my neck to make it quicker, but I doubted he'd comply, so I shut my eyes tight as his mouth approached my neck.
Jacob, I am so sorry. It looks like you'll never forgive me.
A.N. Ok, I know I said within a day or two, but life caught up with me and didn't allow me to do so, but, I hope you liked this chapter. I also have a question. Would you guys like this chapter in Jacob's POV? Because I think it would be really cool to see what was going on in both of their heads, or would you prefer for me to just continue with the story and forget about Jacob? Please let me know what you think, and review! Thank you!