[A/N: obviously, I don't own Twilight. Or any of that. Quickly whipped this up, and might I add... I'm beginning to totally love Embry. Anybody else agree?]
How to live with Werewolves.
Rule Number Four:
No matter how calm the wild animal seems, it can always snap back. Don't expect anything less.
Last time: "Say it" he breathes.
"Werewolf."
I found myself laughing with him as he spun me around.
Me and Jake.
I had really missed this.
"Bella?" a voice called from the doorway and we both froze.
"Dad?" I ask and Charlie steps into the room, eyes wide.
"Ah," he says, a fierce blush lighting his cheeks as he takes in Jacob holding me flush against him. I feel heat dance across my own face as Jacob clears his throat, evidently hiding a laugh.
For a moment, we fall silent and it's more awkward then Fathers Day in a trailer park.
"Anyway, uh, just came to… Never mind. Uh, Jake, shouldn't you be wearing a shirt?" he asks absently, backing out of the room. Jacob chuckles softly.
"Too hot," he says pointedly, shifting me closer (if that were possible) and the door closes with a thud. I can hear Charlie cursing on the other side and then the fall of his steps as he goes downstairs.
"Uh, Jake…" I say softly. "You can put me down now."
He grins wolfishly, teeth flashing.
"I know." he says, but doesn't let me go and I really don't mind.
I let my head fall gently against his shoulder and he must notice I'm tired, because he sits with me on the bed, rocking me gently. I sigh, content to just stay there forever before a wolves howl sounds out in the distance.
"Jake…" I mumble, reaching for him tiredly as he tucks me under the sheets. He smiles sadly down at me.
"I'll come back tomorrow, Bells." He bends down, his figure towering over my tiny curled frame. I yawn and my eyelids flutter closed as he whispers something in Quileute. And I try to stay awake, to tell him to stay just a little longer, but something pushes me headfirst into unconsciousness.
I go to work, sifting through some thoughts in my head. Werewolf. I couldn't really grasp the situation in my hands tightly enough to remember everything. But that russet wolf in the clearing. He was part of Jake. And as long as he'd have me, I'd accept every part of him without question.
The bell chimes and I look up into the dark eyes of Sam Uley.
I try not to choke on the mouthful of soda as he walks around, browsing lazily as I wait stiffly behind the counter.
He's not here to buy anything. Just checking if anyone's around. I wait, trying not to tremble as he comes toward me, his steps languid and humble.
"Bella" he says with a nod and it's kind of hard to recognize him fully because he's wearing a shirt this time. He's bigger then my memory reminds me and I gulp back a whimper as he leans forward on the counter.
"Can I talk to you?" he asks.
I nod dumbly.
"In private?"
"Ah, sure." I say, and poke my head around the back to tell Mike I'm taking my break.
I follow Sam as he takes a walk, and with his long legs and the rate he's walking its hard to keep up.
"How long are we going to be?" I ask softly.
Sam chuckles.
"Not that long."
We walk further ahead, until we reach the mouth of an alleyway. I slow my pace and watch as he just walks ahead. Sure, Forks wasn't as dangerous as any other big state, but it still held some local idiots who were, and I quote from Jessica "cruisin' for a bruisin'" whatever that meant.
Sam seems unscathed, however, so I keep close.
Keep your friends close, mom said once, but your enemies closer.
I'm practically his shadow I think faintly. As he stops and turns I bump into his hard chest with an embarrassing squeak.
He raises one eyebrow at me before he sighs.
"This is about Jacob" he says slowly. I stare up at him.
"Why didn't he speak to me, the other day…?" I ask.
"Because he told me to give an alpha order," he says without pause. I stare up at him, and my expression must tell him I have no idea about anything other then Jacob being a wolf.
"In a pack, there is always an alpha. With normal wolves, it is the strongest of the pack, the best of the best. But with us, it's who has the strongest pull of the bloodline. The descendant of the greatest. My father was alpha, and his father before that. It goes on. But Jacob Black is soon to take the place. My place" he adds, and I realize he isn't with me, in this moment of time. He's going back to where his ancestors roamed the earth.
"His bloodline is far stronger then mine. It goes back to the beginning of us. Of what we are."
His eyes glaze over as if remembering a tale as a child and I can hear the distant sound of cars going by, of people laughing over lunch.
His eyes snap to mine.
"The fact is, Bella, I shouldn't even be telling you this. But you already know, and this may seem strange, the timing and all. But Jacob demanded I tell you soon. I was going to, on that day." he murmurs and I remember the anger I had felt when he had shown up on my doorstep without warning and I was in nothing but a towel.
"There's a bonfire, tomorrow night," he says and I stare at him, wordlessly. He doesn't seem so intimidating now, as if the power he once held was slipping away.
"You should come." he adds.
And then he turns abruptly, leaving me in my thoughts with a small wave.
I stay there for a long time before I realize my break is over and I head back to work with a heavier mind then before.
Jacob shows up that night with Quil and Embry. I invite them in as I clean dinners dishes and hear the soft bubbling sound of them speaking to one another as Charlie says goodnight and tells the boys they have to leave in an hour.
He kisses my cheek before going to bed and gives me an encouraging smile.
He's still not happy with Jacob, and catching us in such an intimate embrace, but he keeps the feeling mutual.
I wipe my damp hands and step into the lounge room and hope I don't blush as last nights embrace fills my head. Jacob smiles at me and I smile back before sitting across from them.
"Sam told me" I say.
They all share a glance.
"How much did he… tell you?" Jacob asks.
"A little and a lot." I say, folding my arms and I stare at my shoes.
That silence again.
I want to say something that will make them smile, because they look so sad now, all grown up and for a few seconds, I feel young again, making mud pies as they share old secret glances.
"Why are they with you?" I ask with a tilt of my head and Jacob winces.
"Sam ordered them to."
"Why?"
"In case…"
"He wolfs out" Embry finishes. I nod.
"There's something I've been dying to ask" Quil says suddenly and I blink at him.
"Why are you so, you know… Cool with all this?"
I smile sadly.
"I've had my fair share of weird." I say lamely.
We all sit in silence, and Jacob looks out the window, deep in thought. I don't know why, but part of me breaks and wishes I could go back into time to when I punched him in the face. It's nearly completely healed, now, I think with a small smile. I look back up at Jacob and he smiles at me too.
I wished I'd hugged him instead.
They leave just as the clock strikes eleven and Jacob hugs me tightly to him.
"I'll see you at the bonfire" he whispers and I nod mutely, clutching at him tightly.
He inhales deeply near my ear and I shiver as he growls softly.
He whispers something in Quileute and both Embry and Quil stare at him with wide eyes before they take off into a jog, disappearing behind the trees.
Later on, much, much later, I write down the words and try to sound them out as I search them up online before going to bed.
The results don't come up with anything helpful, something about imprinting and forever. That's all I find out and I'm frowning with confusion by the time I turn the computer off.
What does that mean?
But I don't have long to ponder it and unconsciousness soon takes me to the clearing, where a russet wolf waits for me in the shadows.
Part of me realizes I'm home.
Hope this one explains some stuff. But hope it doesn't explain everything! Gotta keep the mystery up, folks. So play dumb!
[Start Shameless Pimping Section for reviewers!]
Okay, is it just me, or did the reviews jump?
…
Anywho!
MCipp, yeah, teases are rather annoying, but with school and whatnot, this is taking a lot of energy out of me. Will be sure to write more often though, but thanks for the review!
ShamelesslyObsessed, I'm so glad you caught onto what was happening! I'm trying to explain it thinly, but you know how it is! And hell yes, the pack shall grovel soon. I hope.
Enchantress in Black, hope this chapter answers your question!
Jharv241, thank you for all your reviews, it means alot, believe it or not.
Megan39, ah, many thanks! This one was a bit weird to write.
And to FiveD, whoop, there it is!
On another note, if you see any mistakes, just send me a heads up in a message! Thank you all!
[End of Review Rant.]