Chapter 13

"Charlie, what's wrong?"

Charlie sounded like he'd been crying as he held the phone tightly in his hand, trying not to break down with his daughter. "Selly, something's wrong with your sister…" He cleared his throat, acting as if he had something caught in it.

"What's wrong with Bella?" That caught Jacob's attention and Selene felt him stand beside her instantly. "I thought she was on her honeymoon…" Edward had decided to take her away for a month or so before they went to Alaska to go to college, though Bella never said where.

"She was, but they had to come back early because…" Charlie had to stop, pinching the bridge of his nose to will the tears to stay in his eyes. "She's not good, Selly. She's sick…"

Selene swallowed hard, having put her father on speakerphone so Jacob could hear the conversation, knowing how close he was to Bella. It made Riana's words flood to her mind, her accusations about Jacob using her to get over Bella, and Selene had to wonder if they were true. Was he using her or did he really love and want to marry her?

Selene honestly didn't know, her head spinning from everything that happened recently.

"What do you mean sick?" Selene had to focus and walked over to sit on the bed, Riana instantly wrapping a comforting arm around her, looking worried as well.

As much as she despised Bella, Riana wasn't completely heartless and was genuinely concerned for any member of Selene's family. Charlie was like a father to Riana because hers had run off before she was even born. Her mother, Dana, raised her practically alone, until she met Ray, who ended up becoming the best thing that happened to both Dana and Riana.

Ray was everything to both of them and owned his own ski and snowboard shop in Port Angeles, which brought in quite a bit of revenue. Dana went in one day with Riana, who loved to go up to the mountains to ski, but one of her ski's snapped and they wanted to know if it could be fixed. Ray took one look at the girls and was instantly hooked, giving Riana a brand new set of skis free of charge. Dana was so touched by Ray's generosity that she couldn't deny him when he asked her out on a date, after sending her a bouquet of her favorite flowers…lilies.

Riana broke out of her thoughts while Selene continued speaking to Charlie.

"I don't know. Dr. Cullen won't tell me anything. He said she caught some kind of rare disease or something. He won't let me see her." Now Charlie sounded distraught, the tears once again falling for his daughter.

"Why won't he let you see her?" Selene pursed her lips tightly together and looked over at Jacob, who had started pacing back and forth in front of her. "Charlie…"

"He said she's highly contagious and anyone who comes in contact with her can possibly die…" Charlie choked on the last word, swallowing past the lump that formed in his throat. "I just want to make sure she's okay…"

Selene's heart broke for Charlie, not sure what to do or say to make him feel better about this. "Wait a minute, how come the Cullen's can go around Bella, but you can't?" She suddenly wondered aloud, eyes widening slightly when Jacob let out a derisive snort. He knew something she didn't, that much was clear, and Selene was going to find out what it was. "Is she back home at least?"

Charlie had been wondering that himself, knowing there was something about the Cullen's that was special, but he could never figure out what exactly. "I wish I knew and she arrived home a few weeks ago…" Charlie had just received the call a few hours prior and had to calm himself down before calling Selene, not wanting to upset her.

"Wait a minute, Bella's been back for WEEKS and they just NOW decided to contact you?" Selene sounded beside herself and stood up from the bed, pacing back and forth while Jacob looked rather to launch himself out of the window.

"Yes." It was a mere whisper of heartbreak.

"Those no good…" Selene had to stop herself, wanting to rip Edward Cullen's heart out for what he was putting her father through.

"I just want to make sure she's okay. It doesn't matter that I see her, I just need prove that she's not…" Charlie couldn't bring himself to say that last word, heaving an irritable sigh.

Selene chewed her bottom lip, worry shining in her blue eyes and locked them with searing dark brown, the intensity in Jacob's eyes stealing her breath away. "Charlie, I…Charlie?" She blinked and looked at her phone, having lost the signal and sighed because she knew Charlie's phone probably died.

The man didn't know how to keep it charged.

"I'm on it."

Jacob was already heading toward the window and pushed it open, staring out into the woods, already feeling the fire shoot down his spine. What was the Cullen's thinking contacting Charlie when Bella was obviously not coming back human? He knew what had happened, but wanted to see for himself that Bella no longer had a beating heart.

More importantly, he wanted to know why the hell Bella would put her father through more heartbreak and give him hope that she would be alive. Of course the whole unknown disease was Edward changing her into a bloodsucker! There was no other explanation, which meant the treaty was officially broken and, surprisingly, Jacob didn't care.

"Jacob, what the hell are you doing?" Selene grabbed his arm, ignoring how scorching his skin was, shaking her head. "You can't possibly…"

Jacob kissed her lips soundly, silencing her momentarily, yanking her against his rock hard body. "I'll be back." He mumbled against her lips, promising her that this wasn't the end of them. "And when I do come back, I expect an answer to the question I asked you."

Before Selene could respond or even react, Jacob had leapt out of the window, landing on his feet like a cat. She blinked and watched as he took off into the woods, eyes wide as saucers. Riana slowly walked over to stand next to Selene, looking bewildered because that was a two story drop Jacob just took.

"What the hell is going on?" Riana asked in a softer voice.

"I have no idea, but I'm going to find out when he comes back."

As soon as Jacob knew he was out of the girls' vision, he immediately let the fire overtake his body and phased, landing on all fours with a loud thump. He didn't know how he was going to tell Riana about this, but knew the time was approaching rapidly. Selene was his imprint, which meant she had the right to know about everything, including why his body temperature was always spiked past normal. She wasn't stupid and Jacob knew she would come to her own conclusions soon enough, which was the last thing he wanted.

Hey Jake! Seth Clearwater greeted happily, coming out of nowhere with his sandy colored fur. He definitely had to grow a lot more still, but Jacob admitted only to himself the boy was strong. It's about time you finally came back to us.

I'm not coming back.

Seth stopped and whined, causing Jacob to halt in his tracks toward the Cullen residence. Aww come on Jake, nobody meant what they said! They know you can't help who you imprint on! Just come back to the rez, we all miss you, man! Seth thought of Jacob as a big brother and hated that he hadn't seen Jacob in the past few days.

No, it doesn't work that way, Seth. Jacob hated hearing the pain in the boy's head, sighing heavily as he walked over to nudge Seth with his muzzle. I'm not mad at you, but Sam and the others can go straight to…

Straight to what? A dark voice sounded through the trees, causing Jacob's russet fur to stand on edge, eyes narrowed to slits.

What are you doing here, Sam? Jacob ordered gruffly, ready to pounce if necessary as a pure black wolf stepped out of the trees.

He wasn't alone.

Two other wolves were on either side of Sam, a silver and brown one, which were Paul and Jared. Jacob pulled his jaws over his teeth, growling dangerously, knowing he didn't have time for this. He had to find out what happened to Bella, temporarily forgetting about the wolf telepathy the pack had.

What about Bella? Sam ordered, taking a step closer, his eyes unreadable, though Jacob could clearly tell the man hadn't slept in days. What's going on, Jacob?

I don't know yet, I'm on my way there now to see Bella. Charlie called Selene upset because that doctor called him and said Bella caught some sort of rare disease from wherever that bloodsucker took her for their honeymoon. There was absolutely no resentment or pain in Jacob's voice as he explained to the alpha what was going on, still on his guard though. He didn't trust Sam right now, ignoring the agony the man was in. Selene is upset and wants to know what happened too so I'm on my way to scope it out.

Alone? Leah snorted, trotting alongside her brother, her fur a light grey that almost looked white. Don't you think going to the enemy camp alone is a little, oh I don't know, SUICIDAL?

No more suicidal than your stink. Jacob shot back, hearing Leah growl from low in her muzzle, a remorseless chuckle escaping his own.

I do not…

Enough both of you. Sam ordered, using his alpha voice, his attention more focused on the task at hand, which was Bella Swan's return. Jake, putting everything else aside right now, do you think they changed her?

That's the only logical explanation I can think of. But I don't understand why she would call Charlie to hurt him more. She knows she'll never see him again, so why put him through more pain? The more Jacob thought about how heartless Bella was being with her family, the more he wanted to rip her head from her shoulders. I just need to see her and find out exactly what's going on.

And rip her head off. Leah added smugly, plopping down on the forest ground, though she was ready to attack if Jacob said one more thing about her stench.

Leah, go bathe or something, let the men handle this. Quil stated, groaning when Embry tackled him out of nowhere, both wolves flying down the small hill and knocking trees over.

Damn it! Sam knew Embry wasn't going to let anyone, besides Jacob, talk about his imprint that way, honestly not blaming Embry for attacking. Let the children fight, but you're not going alone. I want you to take someone with you, Jacob, and then report back to me immediately.

Wait a minute, what do you mean report back to you? Paul finally heard enough, stepping forward, ears lowered from how angry he was becoming. If she's changed, the damn treaty is broken, which means we need to wipe those bloodsuckers out once and for all!

Paul, we need proof first. I'm not going to start a war if I can avoid it. Sam stated, wondering if he had the only level head in the pack right now aside from Jacob, who looked perfectly calm. He wasn't in an uproar over Bella being changed; he didn't even look upset about it, which wasn't like Jacob.

What else could it possibly be though, Sam? Paul wasn't giving up easily, walking over to stand in front of the alpha, squaring his shoulders. What else could this 'rare disease' be and what if Jacob goes there and they're waiting for him?

They won't attack me because Bella would never let them. Jacob knew Bella would stop anything from happening to him because somewhere inside of her she did love him. I'm going, I've wasted enough time with this.

Not until you agree to bring someone with you. Sam stated, knowing Jacob had no choice except to live with his orders. It's too dangerous for you to go alone, Jacob.

Jacob growled, clearly not amused by this as both Seth and Leah trotted up alongside him, wondering if Sam was purposely trying to make his life miserable. Whatever, let's go you two, we've wasted enough time. He didn't want to argue anymore and took off into the woods away from the rest of the pack, Leah and Seth keeping up with him easily.

So Jake, how've you been? Seth asked cheerfully, ignoring his sister's grumbles in her head, just glad to be with his big brother again. I totally have to show you a cool game I found in Port Angeles!

Jacob chuckled ruefully, knowing how much Seth enjoyed playing video games with him, the guilt eating away at his insides. Maybe someday, kid. He murmured, hearing Seth whimper, and sighed heavily. Look Seth, I know the pack has told you what's gone down and I refuse to leave my imprint. She's the most important thing to me, the only thing I care about now. If Bella is changed, I don't care if we go after them or not because Selene is the only thing that matters.

I know that, Jake. I think it really sucks that Sam banned her from La Push. I mean she didn't do anything wrong. She shouldn't have to pay for Bella's mistakes. Seth said, fully believing that, very bright for a fifteen year old boy that changed into a sandy colored wolf.

Oh shut up and stop kissing ass already, Seth! Leah grunted, though she had to admit that it was nice seeing Sam in physical and emotional pain. Though I do have to thank you on some level, Jacob…

For what?

For causing Sam and Emily's breakup.

That stopped Jacob dead in his tracks, all three of them just short of the Cullen residence, his head slowly turning to the side. What do you mean? He wished he hadn't asked because Leah's head instantly opened up, showing Jacob exactly what happened between Sam and Emily. Leah had been spying on them the entire time and heard every word that was screamed, making Jacob's head start throbbing.

Enough…

Oh but it's so delightful to keep thinking over and over and over…

ENOUGH LEAH! Jacob roared, the thoughts instantly stopping because he couldn't take feeling Sam's agony and pain.

Is that what it felt like to be away from your soul mate, your imprint? Sam wanted Jacob to feel like that for the rest of his life by banning Selene from the reservation? The more Jacob thought about it, the angrier he became as he practically sprinted to the Cullen's glass house.

That was really mean, Leah. Seth growled, wanting to hurt his sister as he took off after Jacob.

Whatever. Leah mumbled, heading off in the same direction, though she refused to go near the house.

She would stay in the trees while Jacob investigated, watching him arrive in the driveway and phased back into human form. Seth headed back toward her direction with his head lowered, Jacob apparently having told him he wasn't welcome inside because it was too dangerous. Leah wondered if Jacob really did have a death wish because now she had no connection to him to find out exactly what was going on.

As soon as Jacob stepped foot in the house, wearing just a pair of cut off black jean shorts, he stopped dead in his tracks by the sight before him.

"Jacob…"