Good news! My wrist isn't broken, I tore some ligaments. However, I healed thanks to lots o' painkillers and rest. Enjoy! (Jacob POV.)

I sat silently, never moving, always thinking. I could hear the faint buzz of the TV in the other room. Dad fluttered around the house in preparation for our guest. He rolled past me and smiled. I attempted one back, but it didn't work. Nowadays, my brow seemed furrowed even when I tried to smile. He left the room, ignoring my pathetic grin.

This surprised me. Dad usually tried to talk to me. I responded with indifferent grunts and shrugs, and he would sigh sorrowfully and roll off into the next room. After he did that, I always felt pretty bad.

Tonight, Dad had invited Charlie over. I grimaced just thinking about it. Charlie couldn't even be considered a wisp of person. His skin was paper-thin, eyes sunken and dark, and he looked so frail. I was afraid that the wind would whisk him away.

Even worse, I was now the alpha, and I had no clue where my pack was. I didn't really care. I didn't want to lead them. I was the main reason our previous leader died, and they probably hated me anyways.

But still, after Emily had slammed the door in my face that horrible night, all of my brothers were gone. Disappeared. I could barely pick up a whiff of them the one time I phased. I tracked them halfway up the mountains, but heard a rough, Stop. I did, and I turned around after that. I couldn't force them to listen to me, and I didn't want them to.

La Push seemed deathly quiet. Everytime a twig snapped or leaves rustled, I flinched and growled, eyes darting spasmodically from side to side. My right eye was twitching from lack of sleep. How could I protect this place all alone? I roamed the streets at night, towering over young troublemakers and sending them scurrying.

In the kitchen, Dad huffed.

"Jake? Jake? I'm stuck. Come help me, please. I think Charlie's coming up the drive."

I raised my head slowly. Sure enough, light flashed through the windows momentarily, illuminating the dark room. I rose to my feet and trudged into the kitchen, using one hand to unwedge my Dad's front wheel from under the counter. He grinned sheepishly and raced to the front door.

Charlie knocked on cue. I opened it. Dad grinned. Charlie did his awful impression of a grin back. Same old routine. I rolled my eyes. When was Dad finally going to help him?

Dad shot me a warning glance. I sighed dramatically and walked back into my postage-stamp sized room, flopping down on my bed. Patrolling the area briefly crossed my mind, and I groaned. Not tonight. I just wanted to sleep the night away.

Downstairs, the doorbell rang. I heard the squeak of the floor as Billy rolled over to it, backing up when he opened it. A calm female voice greeted him and asked for me. I groaned again. Make her go away, dad, I pleaded silently.

He didn't listen.

"Jaaaake! It's for you!"

I grumbled angrily and stomped down the stairs. Then I froze.

Emily Young stood in the doorway, smiling sweetly. Something was wrong, though. It didn't meet her eyes. They were flat and dark; empty. I stared at her for a long time before she cleared her throat. I blinked.

"Jacob, can I talk to you outside?"

I nodded stupidly and walked out into the frigid night air.

"Hey, Emily, what's up?"

Her eyes flickered to the woods and back to my face.

"Oh, nothing. Just been spending some time in the great outdoors. I met a new friend."

I blinked again. "A… new friend? As in…" I trailed off, hoping she would catch on.

This time, her eyes were irate as she glared at me.

"It's only been one and a half months, Jacob."

I grimaced. I knew very well how long it had been since Sam died.

"Oh… well, what's her name?"

I tried to change the subject. Emily's wrong grin returned.

"Victoria."

My eyes buldged at the name. Waves of heat rippled through my skin, and I cursed under my breath.

"You're not talking about the female who was hunting-"

"Bella?" She finished for me, smiling innocently. "Sorry, but I am talking about that Victoria."

I gasped. "Emily, why would you do that?"

"I needed her help." She answered simply, shrugging. Her eyes flickered once again to the woods. This time, I followed them. Two pairs of glowing green circles flashed for a moment. I growled.

"Paul? Embry? And a bloodsucker?" I laughed once, the sound grotesque and hollow. "Emily, you've gone insane."

It was then I noticed her scars were more prominent than ever, her glossy raven hair now lackluster and limp. Deep violet circles ringed her eyes. She grimaced and looked at her feet.

"I have to do this, Jacob." Her voice was a whisper in the cool night air. "I can't let go. You must understand."

I wrapped my arms around her. She sobbed and flung her arms around me.

"It's not fair." She whispered between sobs, pain interlacing every syllable. "It's not fair."

"I know… I know…" I soothed, rubbing her back. "But you can't just go around killing people, Em."

She pulled back and looked at my face.

"They're not people, Jake. And you will help me get Bella."

I roughly pushed her away. She stumbled backwards.

"You can't force me to do that. I won't do it."

She smiled. "Oh, but Jakey, I really can. It's your fault he's dead. She killed one of your brothers. I don't care how much you freaking love her. You just have to get me to their house. You don't have to lay a hand on her."

I looked into the forest. "Emily, please don't guilt me into this."

"Jacob, I'm asking nicely. Please don't make me resort to force."

"What happened to you, Emily? Was his death enough to drive you to insanity?"

She hissed and pointed towards the woods. "Jacob. Now. It's three against one."

"They wouldn't do it."

She crossed her arms. "They feel the same as me."

"I can't…"

Her eyes flashed and she pounded on my chest with her fists.

"You owe me this, Jacob Black. If you hadn't checked on your selfish leech girlfriend, then he would have been alive!"

Her shriek echoed in my ears. Guilt welled up in my stomach and swallowed me whole. I glanced up at the cloudy sky, watching as it pressed down on us. The first few drops of rain began to patter against the treetops.

Emily walked towards the forest, glancing over her shoulder at me.

I swallowed and ran my hand through my hair.

"Wait!" I called, and trotted after her.

I hope you liked that, I'm a bit worried I got rusty. What do you think? I want some reviews for my grand return! Haha. Oh... But did I mention... REVIEW!