As I am writing this chapter, I have the flu and a 102 temp. So please excuse any mess ups, I did reread it but I'm sure I missed more than I normally would. I am half out of it right now!

Let me know what you think!

And thanks to every single one of you who reviewed my last chapter and any of the previous ones, before that, it keeps me motivated to write faster.

I still don't own it!

Chapter 5

BPOV

I was hot.

Like, really hot.

I groaned trying to move away from the heat, but a heavy arm tightened around my waist, as a hot hand snacked inside of my shirt, splaying against my naked stomach.

Jacob.

Suddenly, I didn't mind the heat so much. I welcomed it, embraced it for what it was, Jacob.

My sleepy haze started to pass as my eyes squinted open, taking in the muted light from the window in front of me.

And even though I was already sticky with sweat from the heat of Jacob's body being pressed to mine, I still felt myself flush slightly as the memories of last night assaulted my mind.

His strong hands framing my face, gripping my hair. Deep, long, needy kisses. The feel of his body pressing into me, completely covering my own. The way my body shuddered against his, as the first orgasm I ever had, that wasn't self-induced, was coaxed from my body by this strong, steady, thrusts. Thrusts that I meet head on.

How embarrassed and shy I had felt, facing him after what happened. Not that he was allowing that, but I think my favorite part of the night, was how safe I felt when I climbed into bed and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him.

Best nights sleep I have ever had.

And as much as I knew it was way to soon for any of that to be happening, I mean we hadn't even discussed anything yet, plus I had only been back in town for a day, but as much as I knew it was to soon, I couldn't find it in myself to care, or regret it.

Jacob Black, felt like home to me.

I felt his hand twitch, as he shifted, groaning into my hair, wrapping himself even further around me.

We'd have to crack a window, or get a fan or something next time, geez.

"Bells," He grunted.

"Morning, Jake." I whispered.

I didn't want to wake him if he was just dreaming, but I soon realized he wasn't when his fingers drummed against the skin of my stomach, before his hand flattened once more. I could feel it gliding easily over my skin, through the fine layer of sweat there, before his arm moved turning me over so he could get a good look at me.

"Oh, Bella. Why didn't you wake me up, you had to be so uncomfortable." He looked so angry at himself that I couldn't keep my laughter in.

His dark eyes darted up to mine searching my face, before narrowing into a glare, but I could see the humor there. "And why are you laughing, Ms. Swan?"

"Because you're ridiculous you know, I just woke up a few minutes before you did, so it must have not bothered me that much through the night." I assured, reaching up to run my hand through his messy hair.

"Well we will have to turn the air down, or get a fan or something for when you sleep over." He murmured.

I laughed again, "Great minds think alike, Mr. Black. I was just thinking about cracking that window open and letting some of that cool morning air in here." I smiled. "What time is it anyway?"

He shifted, turning to look at the clock beside the bed before answering, "Its only 7, Bells, if you want to go back to sleep. It's a Saturday after all."

"Well crack a window and lets get back to sleep then." I grumbled. "Enough with the talking!" I joked.

He smiled, one of his Jacob, megawatt smiles at me, "I wish I could Bells, but I have to go into the garage today, and then I have to do a little work for the council, and the guys and I have to get the beach set up for the bonfire tonight."

"Tease," I grumbled, rolling over in the cage of his arms to bury my head into the pillow. It smelled of him, and I was tempted to stay here all day and just breath him in.

"Hey, Hey, Hey!" He protested, turning me back to face him. "I have at least an hour before I have to leave, that's just enough time for a shower, some breakfast, and at least forty minutes of making out with you."

I snorted, I just couldn't help it. "Who says I want to make out with you, you're a tease, plus you probably have morning breath." I gave him the most haughty look I could pull off, while trying to fight back a grin.

How could he make me so happy, so quickly? And so simply? It seemed effortless.

"Oh I see how it is Bells, using me last night for your own needs and then casting me aside today." He faked a hurt look as he went to move away from me, but I wasn't having any of that, I pulled him back down to me, "What about the morning breath?" He fake whined.

"Screw the morning breath." I mumbled, lifting my head up to press my lips to his.

They were just as soft and hot, and demanding as I had remember from last night, and I just could not seem to get enough. Before I could think on it, I had my hands locked into his already crazy hair, as his hands came up to frame my face.

I could kiss this man forever.

Unfortunately we didn't have forever this morning, twenty minutes later I was in the kitchen, cooking him breakfast while Jake took a shower, I was in desperate need of a shower, but we had limited time before he had to go and I figured I'd just take one when I got back to Sue's.

When he walked into the kitchen in some cargo shorts, toweling drying his hair with one hand and holding a t-shirt in the other, I'm pretty sure I drooled, again.

"Smells good, Bells." He compliment, yanking his shirt over his head before walked over to me to drop an unfortunately chaste kiss to my lips. "You didn't have to cook you know, but thanks. I'm glad you did."

We both laughed when his stomach growled, thanking me too. "No, you know me, besides I wanted too. Its my fault you didn't have time this morning." I smiled. "And besides, its just eggs and toast, simple."

He gave me a heated look, "I'd live off of your kisses if I could Bells, you should know that."

I think I might have gaped at him for a few seconds before recovering myself because I could tell he was holding back a laugh at my expense. I didn't know what to say to one of the most romantic things I had ever been told so I just leaned up and kissed him, deepening it when he pressed his lips harder against my own.

"You're right, I would definitely live off of those if I could." I breathed, my lips brushing against his with every word spoken.

"Told you!" He grinned.

I laughed at his exuberance, pointing to the plate of food I had fixed for him. "Just eat your food, Jake. I'm going grab my clothes to change, I think dad might actually have a heart attack if he sees me in your shirt."

"You can use the shower Bells." Jake offered between bites.

"Nah, because I don't have any clean clothes to put on, and I don't want to put dirty clothes on after I've showered." He just nodded in understanding.

After another round of making out, this time up against the front door, me and Jacob parted ways both of us turning out of his drive way in different directions.

I was surprised how much I missed him already.

I was also surprised to see Sue's kitchen full of people when I walked in. Considering there was only one other car out there besides, Charlie's, Sue's, and Seth's. As soon as I walked in the kitchen, the noise level in the room disappeared and all eyes were on me.

For a brief moment everything was quite, all of them giving me knowing looks with the occasional shit eating grin in the mix. I groaned to myself. Great could this be considered the walk of shame?

"So Bella, where have you been?" Quil spoke up wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I narrowed mine at him, but before I could comment a russet hand came up and smacked him behind his head. "Shut up dumb ass, her dad is in the room." Leah hissed.

Quil looked completely confused, and I just smiled my thanks to Leah. "I feel asleep watching movie's at Jake's house last night." I filled in.

"Yeah we saw your truck there on the way home from the dinner so we figured you were safe for the night." Charlie butted in.

I expected to see his face red from anger and disapproval but instead he was smiling at me. "Oh, yeah dad, I'm sorry I didn't call or anything, I didn't even think about it."

"You've been on your own along time now Bells, you don't need check in with your old man all the time, just let me know if your not with Jake, so I don't worry." He smiled, a rare shy, Charlie smile.

"No problem dad." I promised.

After a round of good mornings and a little more taunting from Quil and Paul, I was just about to make me way up stairs for a much needed shower, but Sue's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Bella, you need to have some breakfast, and plus I want to see your dress. Were you able to find one?" Her whole face lit up when she mentioned the wedding.

"Yep, actually Jake picked it out of a few I had chosen, its in the truck." I explained, smiling gratefully when she handed me a plate of food she had obviously hidden for me. "I actually got a lot of stuff yesterday, its all in the truck though."

"That's good Bells, you should stock up on some warm clothes, its September now, but the colder weather will be here soon. I still have all of your old clothes in your closet at home if you want to look through those, and I'll get those boxes out for you in a little bit." My dad offered.

"Thanks dad, and I'll take a look I was thinking about heading into Forks tomorrow anyway." He nodded in response, "And thanks for the heads up on the Cullen's, I figured I'd see them eventually, but not so soon, we ran into Alice in Port Angeles yesterday morning."

All sound in the kitchen stopped immediately, I wasn't even sure if Charlie was breathing anymore by nice shade of purple he was turning, and if he gripped his fork any tighter I was sure he would draw blood.

He had always liked Alice, what the hell.

"Did she talk to you?" He asked carefully.

I studied him for a minute, knowing he was hiding something but not really wanting to call him on it in front of all of these people. "Yeah, said that she had some stuff she wanted to talk to me about, Esme really misses me, wants me to go visit."

"Anything else?" He prodded.

"Nothing really dad, Jake was there and was pretty much shutting her down. I need to ask him about that, why was he so hostile toward her anyway? And I thought you liked Alice, dad?" I questioned.

He paused briefly, and it only took that moment of hesitation to know, that whatever he was about to tell me wasn't going to be the whole truth. "A lot of people were upset with how they just left you like that Bells, and I did like Alice but she's no better than that Edmund guy to me now, she left too, without a single goodbye, it was because of them you left Forks, so no I don't them anymore."

I was a little stunned by his admission, he had never spoken so honestly about how he felt on the situation before, but I could still tell, by his shifty gaze that he wasn't telling me the whole truth.

"Are you planning on going to visit them?" He asked, the people around us resumed eating at this point but none of them were talking, and I felt distinctly uncomfortable by the fact that they weren't even trying to hide that they were listening in on us.

"I don't know dad, I thought about it, closure you know?" I explained, getting up and dumping my plate before cleaning and placing it in the strainer to dry. I turned back to the room studying their faces, saving my dad's for last. "I know there's something you aren't telling me dad, you're just as bad a lair as I am."

And with that I made my up stairs grabbing some fresh clothes before making my way to the shower. I took a long shower, washing and conditioning my hair. Then I took my time getting dressed, wearing one of my nicer pairs of jeans and a dark v-neck sweater that I always get compliments on. I knew I would not have time for another shower, after I went to Emily's tonight.

So I took the time and straightened my hair, and spent way to much time in the mirror, but I knew what I was really doing, I was avoiding going back down stairs, I didn't feel like dealing with their looks of pity.

It had been Sam that found me that night in the woods, and I was sure they had all heard the finer details of how I had been half frozen, shivering on the cold forest floor, covered and caked with mud and other debris from the surrounding vegetation.

I understood why they would blame the Cullen's, but it wasn't their fault that I foolishly tried to follow a vampire into a darkening forest, especially considering I knew better than most what lurks deep in the forest around here.

No it wasn't their fault that I had ended up like that, and I didn't want anyone's pity, specially not from Jake's friends. I wasn't that broken girl anymore. Even though I still felt the loss of the Cullen family as a whole, I didn't have the same throbbing, numbness eating away at me at the thought of them.

Even seeing Alice today hadn't done me in, like I thought it would, and I knew that was because of Jake. I can't believe that I had been so distracted by her reappearance, by her seemingly genuine words that I didn't question Jake on his anger, on some of the noises I heard escape from his chest.

I had only heard of one other creature who could make noise like that, and Jake was obviously not a vampire.

By the time I made it back to the guest room, all of my bags were sitting on the bed, and I felt like a horrible daughter. Charlie was just looking out for me, he was right it was because of the Cullen's that I moved back to my mom's and he lost me, right after just getting me back, but he would never understand how permanently he could have lost me if Edward hadn't left, and for that I'd always be thankful to the Cullen's for leaving.

When I made it back down stairs only Sue was there, cleaning up the kitchen. I went to her side, helping her in Companionable

silence for a few minutes.

"Where's dad?" I asked

She glanced at me, probably knowing I wanted to apologize. "Don't worry about your father, he just worries about you, Bella."

I nodded, "I know, and I shouldn't have snapped like that, I just don't like when people keep things from me. Besides I wanted to thank him for getting my things from the truck." I explained.

"Well that was Seth actually, and I think he just wanted to check out the inside of it." She laughed, "And you'll find out everything you need to know tonight, Bella."

Before I could respond to that cryptic little remark she had already dashed out the back door, probably heading to the diner, from what I could remember they were always busy for lunch on the weekends.

I glanced at the clock it was already passed eleven and I figured I'd just go up and unpack all of my new stuff while I waited for Emily's call. I didn't have to wait long, ten minutes later an unknown number flashed on my caller idea with a Washington area code.

"Hello," I answered.

"Bella?" A kind voice asked.

"Yeah, hey Emily, I was just wondering when you were going to call, I was just thinking about calling Jake, and getting your number from him." I smiled.

"Oh well I knew you had plans with Jake last night, so I wasn't sure if you'd be available to early, and I didn't want to disturb anything." She wasn't even trying to hide the mischief in her voice.

"Doesn't take long for word to get around in this group huh?" I deadpanned.

"Nah, no secrets in the pack, Bella." She laughed.

"The pack." I laughed. "What are they a bunch of animals or something?"

The other line was eerily quite for a moment, before I heard her clearing her throat, "Yeah you know, anyway, I'm ready whenever you are. Do you know where Sam and I live?"

I didn't but it wasn't hard to find, only five minutes from Sue's place, nestled into the woods. It looked like a little two story cottage, and she had the front porch and every window filled with flowers. It looked like something out of a fairytale book.

Jake had told me about his house he had been working on, that it wasn't far from Sam's. He told me his favorite part about it was how you could cut through the woods and be at the beach in minutes. I was tempted to drive around and see if I could spot it, but he had told me he wanted to take me to see it, and I didn't want to ruin it for him, he had seemed so excited.

When I arrived at Emily's, Kim was already there, and I got right to work peeling potato's, thirty pounds of potato's to me precise. We cooked for hours, everything from Salmon steaks, hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, two different kinds of beans, and I took care of the desserts for the most part. Whipping up a few pies, and four sheets of brownies.

By the time everything was wrapped up in serving dishes and the kitchen was cleaned to once again spotless shape, much like the rest of Emily's house, it was already after six, and I was realizing how much I had enjoyed myself.

I had a few friends back in Phoenix, but none that really enjoyed the simple things like I did, cooking, reading, hanging out at the beach. Simple things, and it was nice to be around girls who seemed to enjoy some of the same things I did. Conversation was effortless, even when they were teasing me about Jake, even though I didn't come out and tell them everything that had happened last night, they did know we spent a good bit of the night and following morning attached at the lips.

And when I confessed how crazy it was that I missed him so much already, they shared a knowing glance between the two and beamed a couple of smiles at me. I just shook my head replaying Sue's cryptic words back, hoping that I really would find out everything tonight.

I volunteered the use of my truck because it had more room in it to load the food when it was time to head down to the beach. It took us a while to get everything situated so that nothing spilled or splashed on my interior, and it was almost seven by the time we got to the beach.

The fire was already bright against the almost black back drop, the dim light from the clouded sun was fading fast. They had a few tables set up with ice chests littering around the fire itself. We weren't even out of the truck before, Sam, Jared, Jake and Seth came running over, effortlessly grabbing everything it took us twenty minutes to load, in seconds.

Jake bent down placing a kiss on my gaping mouth, with a smirk on his face. "Your going to catch flies, Bella."

"Show off," I grumbled, causing him to chuckle. It was a dark, rich sound that I wanted to hear more often.

After the food was set up and Jake held off the guys long enough for us girls to fix our plates, we were all sitting around the fire in minutes. Couples paired off, in their on little worlds, everyone cracking jokes. And I couldn't keep the smile off of my face when everyone commented on how good my deserts were.

But it didn't escape my attention the nervous glances that everyone seemed to be throwing my way. Especially between my dad, Billy, and Jake.

It wasn't long before all the food was gone and everyone quieted down when Billy sat himself at center of the circle. Commanding everyone attention immediately.

"I know you kids are probably anxious get rid of us old people, but we have a new member to the group tonight, so I'd like to tell a few of our tribes legends." Billy explained with a smile in my direction. I know I blushed when everyone turned their anxious glances my way.

Jake tilted my head up, dropping a kiss on my lips, I hated how desperate it felt, as his arms tightened around me, but before I could question him on it, Billy voice rang out loud in clear like I had never heard it before.

"I'd like to start off with the history of the protectors…." He began.

As I sat there listening to Billy speak of the legends, the spirit wolfs, the cold one's, the third wife, and finally imprinting. My mind was reeling. As he described their strength, speed, heightened senses, little memories starting going off in my head. The dream, the howls in the distance the morning before, the grace that no man as large as Jake and his friends should be able to move with, the ease he lifted the things from my truck with. Emily mention of the pack. Jake's burning touches. It all clicked into my place with a resounded slam.

If vampires could exist why couldn't the wolfs.

I could feel everyone's eyes on me as Billy finished up the last of the "Legends" that weren't just legends after all. I remembered their anxious looks and Jake's desperate kisses from before and it just all made so much sense to me now.

I looked to the only person in the group that I knew would never lie to me, my father was sitting there watching me closely, and when he nodded at me, obviously reading the question in my eyes, I felt my world shift.

Was I just born to be apart of the super natural world forever? No mater what I did would I not be able to escape it? Did I even want too if it meant I got to keep Jake around me.

I turned in Jake's arms standing up, he released me even though I could tell it hurt him to do so. "Is that why you were so angry with Alice?" I whispered.

He starred at me for a few beats before nodding. And it all clicked into place, they weren't just angry because the Cullen's left they were angry because of what they were.

I brief flash of memory from when I was seventeen walking along the beach with a fifteen year old Jacob comes to mind, mentions of the treaty, "The Cullen's Don't Come Here." his friend had said.

Sam had said those words, and studying him now, he looked exactly the same as he did then, how didn't I notice that before.

"This is why you all wanted me staying here, instead of in Forks, in my own room?" I asked, turning toward my dad.

He nodded, "Yeah, Bells, but don't be mad, we told you as soon as we could, and we just wanted to keep you safe."

"Show me." I demanded.

"Bells, I don't think that's a good idea." Jake, being the only one to respond.

"I didn't ask you if you if you thought it was a good idea or not Jacob, show me." I snapped, feeling a little guilty when I saw the pained expression come over his face.

"I don't want you to be afraid though, Bella. Most nonwolfs are, I couldn't take it if you were afraid of me." He confessed.

I wanted to comfort him, but my mind was to jumbled. I didn't even know how I felt, and all of the emotions battling inside of me were leaving me feeling confused and drained.

"I'm not afraid of you Jacob, I just want to see you. I need to see it to know its real." I implored, "Please Jake."

He stood watching me cautiously, "If its what you really want."

I could tell how much he didn't want to do this but I couldn't let this go. "It is." I nodded.

He gave me one more piercing look before jogging off into the tree line. I heard the others move to stand behind me, I felt when Charlie placed his hand on my shoulder, and noted when, Seth, cautiously made his way to stand on my other side, but I didn't turn to look at any of them, my eyes were locked on the place Jacob had just disappeared too.

Moments later a large russet colored wolf slowly walked out of the dense forest, and before I could stop myself, my feet had taken me over to him. Meeting him half way. He was beautiful standing higher than a horse at his full height, but he dropped down in front of me, showing me that he wasn't to be feared, but I wasn't afraid.

I tentively reached out a hand to stroke the fur on his face and when his eyes meet mine, I recognized them instantly, they were Jake's depthless, nearly black eyes staring at me with so much concern and adoration that I nearly cried.

"You're beautiful." I whispered reverently, "I'm not afraid of you, Jake. I promise." I vowed.

I knew that he would never hurt me. He nudged my hand with this snot. "I'm not afraid Jake, I just need a little time to think, okay. I'm going to go home."

He whined at my words and I quickly stepped up to reassure him. "Its just a lot to take in you know, but I'm not running away from you Jake, I'll see you tomorrow. I promise. Just give me tonight."

With out waiting for any kind of acknowledgment, I turned back to the group. "Well you be able to get home okay?" I asked Kim and Emily, who had both rode with me out here.

"We'll be fine, Bella." Emily gave me a reassuring, sympathetic smile, "We understand, its a lot to take in, just don't take to long okay."

"I won't." I told her honestly, wondering now if the scars on her face were really from a bear attack.

I knew all to well how a mere human can come out beaten, bruised, and scared when mixed up in the supernatural world.

"Night, guys." I whispered, heading for my truck.

I was relieved when nobody made to stop me. I didn't have much fight in me at the moment and I probably would have caved.

I headed straight for the highway, heading out of La Push and straight into Forks. I wanted the comfort of my old bed, and needed to be alone with my thoughts for the night. Not in a house full of nosey all hearing wolfs.

As I was driving I caught brief flashes of russet fur out of my peripheral view, and I knew that Jake would be watching over me.

The only light on at Charlie's house was the small entry light by the front door. The house seemed eerie, in its stillness, I had never known it to be so quite before. Always used to hearing Charlie tinkering with something outside or the sounds of sports center blaring from the big screen, or even his snores from down the hall.

I didn't take the time to look around, I headed straight for my room, not even bothering to switch on the light. I stripped down, throwing on the first pair of sweat pants I found, followed by an old Forks P.E. shirt.

Flash backs of seeing Edward's face, as he leaned against the wall outside of the gym for me everyday, flashed through my mind but I squashed that down quickly.

I made my way over to the window, hesitating only a minute before unlocking it, and throwing it open, my eyes scanned the darkness. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, or hoping to see, but all I saw was more darkness.

Shivering from the cold, I quickly closed the window before going and cranking up the heater, then crawling under the familiar purple sheets that my father had bout me as part of a welcome home gift years before.

I convinced myself that I wasn't running from Jake, that I just needed time, and as I laid their replaying everything that I had heard tonight, everything that I saw, and was told, then remembering how seeing Jake again had affected me, how drawn I had felt to him the last couple of days, how much I missed him when he wasn't around. How I craved his touch, his kisses, his attention, more than I had ever craved anything before.

It hit me like a ton of breaks, stealing the breath right from my lungs.

Jacob black had imprinted.

On me.

And I had run away, to think. Oh god what had I done, the way Billy had described it, it sounded like the wolf couldn't live without its other half, and I had just ripped myself away from him.

No.

Without a second thought I was out of the bad, throwing on some shoes and grabbing my keys. I had to get to Jacob.

But as I yanked the front door open, there standing on the other side was someone I wasn't at all prepared to see.

"Edward." I gasped