I realize that the link for Sam's car didn't work. Oops. If you really want to know, search C30 Nissan Laurel on Google. It's blue, with one door. It's nice. Trust me, you'll know which one I'm talking about when you see it.
Chapter 17
Jacob
A hand shook me gently awake, tearing me from the good dream I'd been having. It involved nice cars and a happy Max. It was a good dream.
"Jake, you have duty tonight," Billy whispered. I groaned. "Shh! Max is still asleep."
I opened my eyes and realized that I was still on the couch, Max sleeping in my arms. I took my head off her head and shifted her weight, trying to slide her body off me. Billy rolled into his room, probably wiped from staying up late enough to wake me.
"Fang," Max murmured in her sleep. My chest clenched and I had to take a deep breath. He was her boyfriend. Whatever happened to make her come here alone, she isn't over it or him.
I had to disentangle Max's arms from my neck as gently as I could, but her grip was tight. I lifted her slowly into the air and ducked my head out from between her arms. She didn't open her eyes, but she shifted her weight a little. I lay her gently across the couch, tucking the blanket around her body. She shivered once and curled into a ball as best as she could with the brace on her leg.
I had just put my hand on the doorknob when Max said my name. It was louder than a whisper and clear. I turned, thinking she was awake. Her eyes stayed closed and her breathing was slow and even.
She's dreaming about me, I thought with a mix of surprise and happiness. I went slowly to stand over her, watching her sleep for a minute. Even in sleep, the worry lines on her forehead never truly disappeared. The times when they were least visible was when we were just hanging out. I liked that I could make her feel better just by being there.
I bent over and kissed her forehead lightly. She seemed to be turning her face towards me and I thought she had woken, but then she sighed and her breathing evened out again. I brushed my hand over her cheek slowly, pushing her hair back from her face. I watched her for a few more seconds before turning and going out the door into what should have been cold air. To me, it was comfortably warm.
I shifted in my front yard, knowing that no one was up this early. There was practically no risk of anyone seeing me. I set into a speedy run and headed for our meeting place. As I ran, I loosened my muscles, still a little tired from my nap.
Hey Jake, Embry thought from somewhere to my right.
Hey. What did I miss?
Nothing. He groaned mentally. Sam has us running these every night, and there are no other bloodsuckers around beside the Cullens.
He doesn't want to take chances, you know that.
Yeah, ok, whatever you say Jacob. I rolled my eyes and steered towards where he ran parallel to me, about a half-mile to my right. I caught up with Embry before he had cleared the neighborhood.
Excited to go somewhere? he asked, looking over at me. I dipped my head in a shrug.
It just feels good to be running again.
That's 'cause you're a lazy bum and you haven't run duty in like a week.
Hey, I had other things to do, I thought back defensively. Embry snorted.
Yeah, like hanging out with your girlfriend counts Jake.
She's not my girlfriend.
Yet. I let him have that one. I hoped 'yet' was the right way to put it.
So what's the deal with this run? Are we just gonna circle the line for hours? Or does Sam have a plan for us?
I have a plan Jacob, Sams' thought interjected. Go past the bloodsuckers place and ask them if they're expecting visitors.
Why? Do you have a lead?
Maybe… Sam left it at that. Embry rolled his eyes and we turned towards the Cullens house.
Is it weird that we can cross their line whenever we want, but they have to get the Elders permission to cross ours? Embry asked.
Not really. It's a trust thing. They trust us, we don't trust them.
Oh, it's the whole 'we're the protectors' deal, right?
Exactly. Alice was standing on the porch when we approached.
"Can you leave?" she snapped. I shrugged my huge shoulders. "The rest of my night just disappeared. Go away."
"Alice, calm down," Jasper said, putting a hand on her shoulder. She frowned up at him.
"I can't see anything," she complained. "And he smells." I bared my teeth at her and went behind the trees. Shifting quickly, I rejoined the tense Embry.
"S'not like you smell great either," I countered. Alice scowled at me.
"What are you doing here Jacob?" Jasper asked with a sigh. I shrugged again.
"I dunno. Sam told me and Embry to run over here and ask you if you were expecting any visitors."
Alice and Jasper looked at each other. She whispered something and Jasper nodded. They both turned and Jasper held up a finger, telling us to wait. They went into the house, coming back out a few seconds later with Carlisle and Esme.
"What can we do for you Jacob?" Carlisle asked politely. I repeated my message and he looked at Alice.
"So are you?" Carlisle looked back at me.
"We were not, but earlier today, Alice saw a vampire coming into the area sometime soon."
"When?"
"I'm not positive, but next week or the week after," Alice said, her eyes glazing over. Embry growled beside me.
"Is he a friend of yours?" Alice shook her head and her eyes re-focused.
"No. I don't know who he is, but he knows us. In my vision, he goes through the clearing where James and Victoria first showed up. He's heading straight towards our house, as if he knew it was here."
"Alright. We have to go report to Sam." Carlisle nodded. "Call if you see something else."
"How is Max doing?" Esme asked as I turned to leave.
"Fine," I said, looking back at her. She looked slightly worried.
"Will you tell her to call us when she wakes up?" She sounded so concerned that I nodded.
"Sure, sure," I said breezily. I walked back into the trees, Embry at my side. He waited until I had shifted before starting a slow sprint back to Sam.
They don't know this vampire, I thought to Sam.
And he's coming possibly next week?
Yes. How did you know he was coming?
I didn't.
Then what…?
I had a feeling, that's all.
Well you were right.
That's what I was afraid of, Sam thought with a growl.
Should we just run the perimeter now? Embry asked.
Embry, head home. I need to talk to Jacob alone. Embry looked over at me, his big eye sympathetic.
See you later Jake.
Yeah, see ya. Sam waited until Embry had shifted back before speaking again.
Have you told Max yet? I sighed.
No.
Why not? Jacob, you should at least tell her.
I know, but… She's having a hard time is all. I don't want to make it worse for her by dumping this Imprint thing in her lap.
But she needs to know, Sam pointed out. I huffed.
I know.
Tell her today.
Can't it wait until later?
No, was Sam's firm reply. She needs to give you some information too.
About what?
Whatever it is she's hiding.
Maybe she's hiding it for a reason, I said lamely. I didn't want to force anything out of her.
Doesn't matter. I need to know that whatever it is will not come here and cause problems.
Fine, I'll ask her. But that doesn't mean she'll tell me.
Just try. I felt Sam's mind leave and knew that I was alone. It felt great having my thoughts to myself again.
I ran to First Beach, staying on the fringe of the tree line. When I reached the far end of the crescent, I leapt onto the sand, enjoying how the grains felt under my pads. I pushed myself faster, straining my muscles by running on the soft sand. It was always a good workout to run on the beach.
A strange feeling in my chest made me stop. I felt a weird tugging, pulling me back towards the forest. I kept running, away from the trees, and the tugging grew a little stronger. Sighing, I turned back around and sprinted off the beach and into the forest. The tugging led me through the trees and towards my house. I shifted at the edge of the trees and loped to the front door. Pushing it open as quietly as I could, I stepped inside.
Looking around, I saw Max still out on the couch. The tugging was stronger again and when I moved toward the couch, it got softer. I stopped beside Max and the tugging faded altogether. Bending down, I let my fingers run lightly over her face. When I pulled my hand back, my fingers were damp and I realized she was crying. My chest felt weird and I had the sudden urge to lie next to her.
I stood there for a minute, thinking. I have to tell her. Sam's right. She means too much to me to keep her in the dark for much longer. I sighed and slid her body over until her back was pressed against the couch. Lifting the blanket, I lay beside her and closed my eyes. Her cheeks were still wet, but her face looked a little more relaxed. I relaxed my mind and drifted into sleep.
Max
"I love you Max, always and forever." I looked at Fang, horrified. Zane had his hands around Fang's throat and was already starting to squeeze away Fang's air.
"Fang," I cried, desperate. I watched helplessly as the life left his eyes. Zane let go of Fang, letting his body fall to the forest floor like a rag doll.
I blinked and Zane disappeared, leaving me alone with Fang's body. I crawled over to where his body lay at an odd angle. Taking his head in my lap, I cried.
"You promised you wouldn't leave me ever again," I whispered. Fang didn't move. "You promised…"
"I can't stay any longer." I looked up and saw Jacob standing over me. His face was grim and he had his arms folded over his bare chest.
"But…" He shook his head.
"No Max. I can't stay here any longer if you can't let go of him."
"But he was my best friend," I said softly, looking down at the still form in my lap. "I can't just let him go."
"Then we can't be together."
"Jacob," I whispered, upset that he was leaving me too.
"I'm not sorry."
"Jacob!" He turned and started to walk away. I go up quickly, letting Fang's head slide to the ground.
Jacob ran, his arms and legs pumping as he tried to get away from me. I ran after him, desperate not to lose anyone else. He picked up speed, racing around trees and over bushes. I followed, trying as hard as I could to catch up.
I had just begun catching up when Jacob stopped. As I flew by him, his arms snaked out and grabbed me around the waist, pulling me back. He held me against him, his cheek resting on the top of my head. His hand smoothed my hair down and I felt his lips lightly on my forehead.
"You did it," he murmured into my hair. "You let go of him. I can stay with you now."
"Why couldn't I have you both?" I asked. Jacob tightened his arms around me and I was suddenly hot, but I felt safe.
"Because if you hold onto him, I don't get all of you."
"That's dumb," I muttered. "I love you both." Jacob chuckled.
"That's the way it always is for me," he muttered darkly. "I always get the leftovers."
"Sorry."
"Saying you're sorry won't fix anything."
"Then what will?"
"Letting go of him. Stop living in the past. Be with me," he whispered desperately.
"I'll try."
"I love you Max." I leaned my head on his chest and sighed, glad I had finally made a decision.
My dream faded as I woke, my eyes opening slowly and grudgingly. I tried to stretch my arms over my head, but something was blocking my way. Opening my eyes completely, I was startled to see Jacob's face inches from my own. His eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell slowly in sleep.
That is the first dream, or nightmare for that matter, that I've had since the flock was killed… It meant something, I just knew it. Coincidence that I have my first dream in months the first night Jacob sleeps beside me? I think not!
I glanced at the figure beside me. He looked so peaceful that I just couldn't bear to wake him. His breath was long and deep; he was having a good sleep, I could tell.
I kinda wanted to know if I'd talked in my sleep. Since, apparently, I talk in my sleep without having a dream, would it be opposite? Or am I just nuts? Hmm, that's a tough question to answer, even for me.
"Max," Jacob mumbled, lifting his arms above his head. He stretched, straightening his arms and curling his toes.
"Yo," I said in response. I'm so good with words.
"Did I talk in my sleep?" I asked. Way to wait for him to wake up!
"Uhh, yeah, a little bit," he muttered, closing his eyes again. He put his arms down, putting the right one over my shoulder. I thought he was just relaxing it, but he curled his arm around my head, shoving my face into his armpit.
"Eww! You're gross!" I complained loudly. Jacob chuckled, still not awake. He held my head in place under his arm. I pretended to gag (it really did smell, but when you live with The Gasman, you develop an immune system of sorts).
"It's what I do," he grumbled, releasing me.
"You're a freak," I muttered under my breath. He grinned, his eyes still closed, and grabbed my head again.
"And you are powerless against my amazing super-strength." He tried to force my head back under his arm, but I shoved him in the chest, pushing him completely off the couch.
Landing with a thud on the floor, Jacob looked up at me, awake now. "How did you—when did you—what the hell?" I grinned at him, wiggling my fingers in a goofy wave.
"How did I push you?" He nodded. I slowly straightened my arms. "Like this," I said slowly. Jacob rolled his eyes.
"Seriously. Since when can non-pack members do that?" I rolled my eyes back at him.
"Since I'm a lot stronger than other non-pack members," I said just as slowly.
"Oh, yeah, I remember now. The first time you came here, you punched me, remember?" I nodded. "It actually hurt. How weird is that?"
"You're just way too used to being invincible buddy-boy." I pet his head and sat up. "Now feed me kid."
"One: I'm not your slave." I looked at him skeptically. "Two: I'm definitely not a kid."
"One: yes, you most definitely are my slave. And two: you're sixteen. Therefore, you're a kid." I folded my arms and smiled smugly.
"One: no, I'm not. Two: sixteen is not kid status."
"A B C FREAKIN D," I yelled, throwing up my hands. "Either way you look at it, you're younger than me and you're my slave since I can't walk."
He stuck his tongue out at me and pushed himself up off the floor. "You're really bossy, did anyone ever tell you that?" I smiled angelically.
"Yes, yes they have. It's what I do. I'm the boss." I started humming the tune to Like A Boss by The Lonely Island.
"Maybe somewhere else you were 'the boss', but around here? I'm the Boss," Jacob said firmly. I ignored him and finished humming the song. It was a really, really stupid song, but it was catchy.
"As soon as your leg is better," he muttered darkly, lifting me into his arms. I pet his head again.
"Good boy." He bumped my head with his and set me down at the kitchen table.
"Cereal sound good to you?" he asked, one hand already in the cupboard, clutching a box of Raisin Bran Crunch. I nodded.
"Sure, that's fine." He poured me a bowl and grabbed the milk out of the fridge. Setting the milk on the table in front of me, Jacob poured himself a huge bowl of cereal. He literally used up half the box in one bowl.
"You really need to work on that," I commented, taking a crunchy bite. Jacob shrugged and plopped down.
"I don't think so. I'm a growing werewolf, I need as much food as I can get." He rubbed his stomach and grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I said, "Yeah, okay, and when you get fat, I will so say 'I told you so'."
"Yeah? And when I beat you up? What're you gonna say then little miss pain-in-my-ass?"
I snorted. "Yeah, good luck with that buddy."
"What, you don't think I could take you?" He raised a brow and looked over his tipped bowl at me. Jacob slurped his milk, waiting for my answer.
"I think I have a good chance," I replied honestly. Jacob shrugged.
"We'll have to find out, won't we?"
"I guess we will," I said, flicking his forehead. Jacob flicked me back. "Oh, you've started it now."
For a good five or ten minutes, Jacob and I just went back and forth flicking each other on any part of the other that we could reach. He played dirty and stood up so that I couldn't reach him. But I got him back when he walked behind me to flick the back of my head. I stuck my good foot out and he went face-first to the floor. I almost fell out of my chair laughing.
"Shut up," Jacob said, his face bright red. He pushed himself up off the floor and ducked down, grabbing me right out of the chair.
"Not so tough now, are you?" he taunted, holding me on the extreme of his forearms. I tried to reach out and flick him again, but his arms were longer then mine and I couldn't reach him.
"You're dumb," I muttered. Jacob grinned in triumph. "When I can take this brace off… oh-ho, you better watch out then dog-boy."
"Yeah?" he challenged, pulling me closer and sticking his face right in front of mine.
"Yeah." We stayed fake-glaring at each other for a few seconds before we both lost it.
"Wow we're cool," Jacob sputtered between laughs. I couldn't even speak I was laughing so hard. I just attempted a nod and leaned against his chest, my strength gone.
"Oh God I need to get out of here," I muttered. Jacob went completely statue-still. "That was a joke. I just meant I need to get away from you for like an hour so that I can think straight."
"What, am I just so hot that you can't process functional thoughts?" he taunted, his face playful again. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him.
"Oh yeah, that's it." I tapped his cheek. "Keep your priorities straight kiddo. It's truth first, then fantasy."
"Bite me," he muttered. I clicked my teeth in his face and laughed. He grinned and dumped me on the couch.
The silver cell phone started buzzing then. I reached for it, but Jacob grabbed it before I could. He held me at arms length, keeping the phone out of my reach.
"Hello?" he said, trying not to laugh at me.
"Give me my phone Jacob!" I hissed. He ignored me, still grinning.
"Yeah, she can't come to the phone right now," he said, smirking. "Nah, she's busy." I finally got around his arm and lunged for the phone. Ripping it from him, I put it to my ear. Jacob reached for it, but I stuffed my face practically through the arm of the couch to keep it away from him.
"Hello?" I said breathlessly. Jacob tickled my sides, making me squirm a little.
"Max?" Edward sounded concerned.
"Hey Edward, what's up?" I asked, my voice still airy.
"Uhh, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, kicking at Jacob with my good leg. He danced out of the way, grinning.
"I—Uhh Alice—Alice saw you—"
"Spit it out Edward," I said. I heard him sigh on the other end.
"Alice saw something," he said slowly.
"What did she see?" Jacob had stopped trying to steal the phone. He was sitting beside me, trying to listen.
"She, uhh, she saw you and…"
"What is he saying?" Jacob whispered. I held up a finger, telling him to wait. He rolled his eyes and lifted me onto his lap, leaning his cheek against mine so he could hear too.
"Edward, what did Alice see?" I couldn't even begin to imagine what could make Edward so damn nervous.
"Uhh, can I talk to Jacob please?" he said, sounding unsure of himself.
"Hey Cullen," Jacob said, taking the phone from me. He put it on the other side of his head so that I couldn't hear what Edward was saying.
I waited while Edward said something. He either took a long time saying one thing, or whatever he had to say was just long. I hoped it was just long, because a nervous Edward was never good.
"No, I haven't." Jacob waited a few seconds. "Nothing. Seriously, nothing." He glanced at me and a slight blush crept into his russet cheeks.
"When I do, I'll let you and the little bloodsucker know first," Jacob said, a hint of sarcasm underlying that sentence.
"Let them know what?" I whispered. It was his turn to give me the 'wait' finger. I sat back, crossing my arms over my chest. I wasn't very good at waiting patiently…
"Sure, sure." Jacob snapped the phone shut without waiting for Edward to say anything else.
"What was that all about?" I asked. Jacob shrugged and bumped my forehead with his.
"Nothing."
"Oh really?" I raised a brow at him. "I'm not stupid Jacob. If Edward is nervous and stuttering, something is up. What did he say?"
"Nothing really," he muttered. He slid me off his lap and stood, the silver phone still in his hand.
"Where are you going?" He didn't answer me, he just walked out the front door, shutting it behind him. "Ass," I muttered darkly, leaning back against the couch and folding my arms over my chest.
"Why is he being stupid," I muttered. Leaning over, I grabbed the TV remote and turned to the channel Jacob and I watched horror movies on. There weren't any good movies on, so I went channel surfing.
After ten minutes, I still hadn't found anything good on TV and Jacob still hadn't come back. What is up with him all of a sudden? I turned the television off and sighed dejectedly. Maybe my dream was wrong after all.
I wouldn't cross it out just yet Maximum, the Voice said. I jumped a little. I hadn't heard from the Voice in a while. Since I fell actually…
"Why not?" I didn't feel stupid or crazy talking out loud when no one else was here. I was pretty sure Billy wasn't home. At least I hoped he wasn't home.
He has secrets too. I rolled my eyes, a completely useless thing to do.
"Yeah, I know. He's a werewolf." Maybe the Voice wasn't as on top of things as I had thought it was.
I swear, I thought I heard the Voice sigh. Deeper secrets Max.
"What's deeper than being a werewolf?"
Secrets of the heart. My brows shot up.
"What does that mean?" I was disappointed when I got no answer. I had thought the Voice would be helpful today. I guess not. Predictable, Voice, you are getting very predictable…
Review please! =) lately, readers have been skimping on the reviews, and it's making me sad =( it lowers my self-esteem when I only get one review for three straight chapters… c'mon guys, I know more people than that are reading this story. It would really help the overall state of my story if people reviewed. Honestly, a simple comment would suffice. Thanks!
