All characters except for Annabelle Causley and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.

This is an AU out of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series. This story starts after Eclipse, two weeks before Edward and Bella's wedding.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Annabelle stood at the edge of the lake, watching the moonbeams bounce off the placid surface of the water. She had wanted to see Jacob, knowing full well he would be by the treaty line where they had met –had it really been a week since they've met?

Her thoughts were so consumed with Jacob –the scent of his blood, the intensity of his dark eyes, his dark russet colored skin stretched over his muscles –it felt like she'd known him forever. Even with that driving need to see him, to be near him, to talk to him, she needed time to think about this new development in her life.

Having the Cullens know about Aro's plans for them had placed Annabelle into the forefront of the family. Even though none of them had asked her for her help, she knew they were thinking it…especially Edward. They didn't want to have her feel used but they all knew without her, and her knowledge of Aro and the Volturri, the Cullens didn't stand much of a chance.

Annabelle sighed as she removed her clothing to go into the lake for a swim. She wanted to do something normal, something somewhat human. Slipping into the water, she sank backwards into the water until she was lying on her back at the bottom of the lake. She laid there for an hour, feeling the water move over her body as she watched the moon through the water, trying to get a definite shape but the ripples kept distorting the view of the sky.

Annabelle couldn't help but compare her life to that distorted picture of the moon. Everything that had been a part of her life was shifting and changing, keeping her off-balance, both mentally and emotionally. She had a feeling that an irreversible change was about to take place in her life, a change that would affect her in a permanent way.

The monotony of the past hundred years or so had been heavy on her shoulders until she entered Forks and tracked down Edward. Despite that, she wasn't entirely certain she was ready for any type of drastic change.

She thought back on the last three weeks as she surfaced and walked towards the bank of the lake, the water moving around her with every step she took. Stepping up into the sandy bank, she pushed her water-logged hair out of her face, over her shoulders and froze, butterscotch eyes locking with dark intense eyes that caused butterflies to flutter low in her stomach.


Jacob stood at the edge of the woods, his eyes traveling down Annabelle's body, watching the water droplets solidify into ice beads. Cocking his head to the side, he couldn't help but wonder whether his tongue would stick if he licked her body, the way it happens when a frozen metal pole is licked.

He knew if he didn't turn around and walked away, he was going to do things with this girl he would later regret. He sucked his breath in, his head swimming with her sweet smell. Taking a step away from her and towards the dense trees, he made the mistake of looking into her golden eyes.

His will folded and the earth shifted beneath his feet as he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. He wanted to make her promises, to reassure her that he wouldn't hurt her…even though he would be lying to her.

Jacob knew he had imprinted on Annabelle but he refused to allow the natural process of falling in love with the one he imprinted on to take place. He couldn't…he wouldn't fall in love with her, not when she was a vampire…not when Bella was still human.

Walking towards her, he watched her eyes, noticing the dilation of her pupils as he stopped an arm's length away, the breeze brushing against his bare skin, wafting his scent towards her.

Annabelle closed her eyes and breathed in deep, his rich scent filling her head and taking over her senses. Her strong will kept her from moving towards him, kept her rooted to the ground, every single muscle frozen into the position he had found her in.

Jacob reached out, his fingers sliding over her jaw, the heat of his skin causing the ice beads on her face to melt. Calling himself every foul name he could think of, he dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. Annabelle's lips parted slightly as she sighed softly against his mouth, her sweet scent causing him to forget his resolve of staying away from her.

Her hard body melted into his as he pulled her in closer, deepening the kiss as his hand moved from her jaw into her hair, his fingers tangling with the long tresses. Wherever their bodies touched, their combined temperatures of hot and cold created a comfortable warmth neither of them had felt in a long time.

His tongue moved over her lower lip as he wrapped his arm around her waist, marveling at how her marble-hard body fit against his, as if it belonged there. Annabelle placed her hands on his shoulders and kept them there, not wanting to hurt him with any sudden movements.

She had told Edward she hadn't decided what she wanted from Jacob –now she knew. She wanted him…alive, breathing, touching her. She wanted this warmth that was invading her body, a warmth that made her feel more human like nothing else could.

Jacob pulled her down onto the ground, stretching over her, his mouth moving down her neck as he moved his hands down her body, leaving behind trails of melting ice and warmth. Annabelle moved her hands over the muscles of his back, enjoying the smoothness of his skin until she stopped at the elastic waistband of his cut-off sweats.

Jacob moved over her, his mouth sliding across her collarbone, his tongue darting over her skin, tasting the same sweetness he smelled –hot luscious raspberries. This would be his first time but somehow, with Annabelle, he knew exactly what he was doing.