*A/N: Thanks to my lovely beta and awbffe NessiesMomma for beta reading.*

*Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or its characters, SM does. I do however want Edward Cullen to spend eternity in my bedroom ;]*


Normally, seeing Jake would bring a smile to my face, but tonight the tension was palpable. Jake and Edward's battle over me. Mine and Edward's argument in the car. And Jake's pain over seeing me with a guy that up until a couple days ago I didn't know existed.

"Hey, Jake." I half smiled. "Where's Charlie and Sue? I didn't see the cruiser"

"Food shopping they forgot the mint chocolate chip ice cream for you."

I smiled. My favorite. "Where is the little guy?"

He moved out of the doorway and Edward and I stepped in. "He's not little anymore."

Standing between him and Edward, I could tell they were sizing each other up. And the last thing I needed my werewolf best friend to phase in my house and get into a fight with my vampire boyfriend.

"Guys, please. Please behave." I whispered. "For me."

Jake met my eyes and I saw the sadness there and the fierceness left his features. His shoulders slumped. "Seth! You'll never guess who's here!"

I heard the sound as heavy footsteps come running in from upstairs. My once tiny lanky brother was now around the same height as me and muscular. "Bella! You're here!" He came towards me wrapping me into a bear hug.

"Missed you bro! What happened? Is Jake getting you into steroids?"

I looked at Jake from over Seth's shoulder and he was looking anywhere but us. Seth released me from the hug and punched me lightly on the arm. "No." He laughed. "Just growing into my own, I guess."

I chuckled and gestured towards Edward. "You remember Edward, right?"

Seth nodded and stuck out his hand as Edward grabbed it. "Yes, I remember. How ya been?"

"Good. Still playing those video games?"

"Of course." He smiled. "Wanna see?"

Edward nodded. Kissing me on the top of my head he followed my brother onto the couch as Seth talked about all his scores. I turned towards Jake biting my lip.

"Can we go outside and talk?"

He looked at me surprised and then nodded slowly. We walked together to the back porch, shutting the glass door behind us. I knew it was useless. Edward would still be able to listen if he wanted to but habit got the best of me. Jacob stood at the edge of the deck facing away from me.

"We don't have to treat each other this way," I whispered.

"You made your choice, Bella."

I walked over to him placing my hand on his arm. "I need you, Jake. I know it's selfish of me to ask that of you but… but this is all just so new to me. I need my best friend."

He turned towards me and I looked down at my feet before closing my eyes. I felt Jake's rough hands at my chin as he lifted my head. Opening my eyes I met his.

"I'm here, Bella." He took a deep breath. "I'll always be here."

"Thank you."

I slipped my arms around his waist and clasped my hands together as his arms hugged around my neck pulling me close. He smelled of the woods, musk and earth. And he was warm, so warm that I found myself snuggling in closer.

"Bella, I have to talk to you about something."

I hummed in response not wanting to move.

"Bella?" his grip on my neck loosened and I reluctantly stepped back.

"Yeah, Jake?"

"It's about Seth… and partially why I'm here."

"What is it? You're making me nervous." I began chewing on my bottom lip.

"Well you know how those two vamps are still in the area, right?"

"Yeah," I drawled out.

"Well…" he paused and then spoke quickly, "it's-causing-Seth-to-change-into-a-werewolf."

I felt my bottom jaw drop as I stood there, staring at Jake, in shock. This couldn't be happening. How did Seth have the gene? "H-How is that possible? Are Seth and Leah the ancestors of one of the shape-shifter people in your stories?"

"Yes. Their father, Harry Clearwater, was." His hand gripped my arm. "He doesn't know yet, Bella. But the signs are all there. The growth spurt. The muscle mass. Once the fever sets in, there's no stopping it."

"Will Edward and I being here… set it off earlier?"

He shrugged. "I don't know."

"Edward." I called low, knowing he'd hear it. I heard him excuse himself from Seth and make his way onto the deck. His hands stayed in his pockets as he walked towards us. "What should we do?"

"It's going to happen no matter what. The change has already started. You need your family. I can see that."

I felt physically drained. I never ached for the relief of tears more than I did at this moment. Between everything going on with my hybrid life and being hunted, now I had to add on that my sweet innocent little brother was being affected.

"I guess you're right."

He walked over, as Jake dropped his arm, and stepped in front of my rubbing circles with his thumbs on my cheeks. "It's up to you, love. This is your decision."

"We'll stay… but I think we should tell Seth."

"Tell Seth what?"

I looked over to see Seth standing in the door way arms crossed.

"Uh-erm…"

Edward stepped forward. "Seth, do you know the history of the Quileute's?"

"Their descended from wolves right?" He looked towards Jake. "That's the legend of the tribe."

Jake nodded and Edward looked for him to continue. "It's true, Seth." Jake started. "All of it."

"What do you mean? I though that was just some scary story?"

I walked over to him and led him to the patio set Sue had picked out years ago. "You know what I am, Seth. As well as Edward. You're tribe made a treaty with the Cullen's and were able to enforce it because your people could defend themselves." I reached over and took his hand in mine. "You're shape-shifters, werewolves."

He didn't speak for a long time and I continued rubbing my thumb against his hand, drawing lazy patterns. "Are all of us… wolves?"

Jake spoke. "Only a select few have the gene. Basically any descendents of Black, Uley, Clearwater, and Attera."

"When a vampire comes into town," Edward added, "the fever sets in."

"Two vampires have been in town… One of which is after me."

Seth shot up from his seat balling his hands into fists. "What!?"

"Seth you need to calm down." I stood and placed both my hands on his shoulders. "I'm fine. Look no ones going to hurt me."

"Bella, you need to back away." Edward gripped my waist pulling me towards him.

I shook my head. "He won't hurt me."

"He's right, Bells." Jake pleaded walking to stand near Seth. "Step back."

Seth growled a low deep rumbling in his chest. "Get away from her."

"Seth, its okay. Look. Seth."

He was gone I could tell in the animal like appearance on his face. I removed my hands from his shoulders backing towards the glass door. Edward stood in front of me crouching in a defensive position much like he had in the clearing this morning.

"Seth you need to calm down." Jake pleaded holding up his hands.

Just then I heard the front door open as Sue and Charlie walked in. "Bella! Are you here?"

"Dad! Stay where you are!"

"What's going on?" Charlie was in full cop mode now. I could just imagine him gripping his hand gun and standing in front of Sue. Protecting her much like how Edward was protecting me.

"Just trust me, please!" I begged. "Stay in the doorway!"

"What's wrong with me?" Seth cried out.

"Bells, he's warming up." Jake whispered.

"We need to get out of here." Edward backed us more towards the door as Jake gently coerced Seth into the yard. Jake made sure he was between us and Seth.

I reached behind me and pulled open the glass door and Edward and I walked inside. Edward firmly shut it and I turned to the distraught faces of Charlie and Sue. I ran over to them, quicker than they could realize and hugged them both. They both kissed the top of my head and Sue pulled back placing her hands on the sides of my face. She was crying.

"What's going on, Bella?"

I bit my lip and looked down. "He's transforming."

"You bit him!"

I looked at her, hurt. "No, he's becoming a shape-shifter like Jake."

"How did this happen?"

"He's a Clearwater."

She turned towards Charlie erupting into loud sobs. All I could make out was "not my boy." Charlie met my face and looked like he was about to speak but I held my hand up and stopped him. I mouthed "later" and turned to stand by Edward.

He reached down and grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I could tell when I read his mind that if I touched you in any way he was going to get angry… but I couldn't just have you in harms way."

I squeezed his hand. Edward was truly selfless. Even though I was stronger than him he still put himself between me and what he saw as a threat. Then again, I would do the same for him. "It was going to happen sooner or later."

"But you didn't have to see it."

"Where are they?"

"The woods. The pack is waiting for him. He'll probably be with them for awhile."

I frowned. "I guess I'll start dinner."

"Can I help?"

"Sure."

I cooked some of the fish that was in the freezer and set out. Sue was barely eating, and even decided to go to bed early. Now it was just me, Charlie, and Edward sitting at the table.

"So how are things at the Cullen's? I've certainly missed your cooking around here, Bells."

"Sue can cook." I smiled. "And things are good. They had a room all prepared for me when I got there."

"That's good." He cleared his throat. "So, Edward, what brings you here?"

"Actually, Dad--"

"Chief Swan, I've had the honor of dating your daughter for the past couple days."

Charlie choked on his food and I had to slap his back. "You two are dating?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Well, uh good for you."

We finished dinner quickly and Edward offered to clean the dishes. I reached over and grasped Charlie's hand. "I'm sorry I sprung this on you."

"Are you sure, Bells? I mean Edwards a great guy and all, and I love that he's got my baby's back when I can't, but I just need to make sure this is really what you want."

"I'm happy, Dad. Edward's what I want."

He seemed to be contemplating something for awhile and finally spoke. "Where does this leave Jake?"

My unresolved character. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Bells. I'm not stupid. That boy was sweet on you. He never left your side the day you stopped the van."

"I can't help how I feel, Dad."

"I know, baby girl." He shook my hand. "You need to stop by more often. I miss you. You're all I got left of your mom."

I stood up and walked behind my father wrapping my arms around him. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too."

After we said our goodbyes and Charlie wrapped me up some ice cream, we were back in Edward's car. He let me sit there to work through my emotions. I knew he heard every word of Charlie's discussion with me, yet he said nothing. I didn't know if I was bothered by that or relieved. I felt my phone vibrate and I flipped it open revealing a text from Jake.

We calmed him down. He's still in pain from the change but he's beginning to get control over it. Are you okay?

Is it really painful? Jake you have to promise you'll protect him. And I'm okay.

I know you're not really. Tell me the truth.

I hate myself. Half of what I am caused this to happen to all of you.

You're not remembering our legends very well. You did not cause this. We'll talk when you visit.

Okay. Be safe.

You too.

I shut the phone drumming my fingers along it. I looked at Edward. His eyes were focused on the road as his fingers gripped the steering wheel. He was fighting to not ask me what I was thinking. I could tell.

Reaching for his hand on the gear shift, I spoke. "Can we go to the meadow?"

"Aren't you tired?"

I shook my head. "I won't be able to sleep. I just want to spend time with you."

"I don't want to argue with you, Bella."

"Edward," I whispered," I don't want to keep everything inside. Please."

He frowned. "You know I can't refuse you."

He pulled off the side of the road and we both exited the car and ran in the direction of the meadow. I approached the clearing already feeling the serenity it brought me. I walked out into the center and took a deep breath plopping myself on the ground. Edward sat beside me placing his hand above my own.

"I don't want you to kill yourself over me, Edward."

He sighed. "You are my life. Without you I have no reason left to exist."

"You have your family."

"Bella, when are you going to understand? Do you not know the extent of my feelings for you?"

I shook my head. We never discussed it. As far as I knew, he just felt this pull towards me and knew better than to fight it.

"I love you, Bella."

I stared at him disbelieving until I saw the truth in his eyes. I threw myself onto him, kissing him. My mouth opened as my tongue searched for his. We had done this countless times before but now, now it was different. I loved him. His mouth opened and I touched my tongue to his. He lifted me, placing me on his lap and I ground myself into him, feeling his erection. He kissed around my face, my neck. His hands reached under my shirt pulling up the hem and I lifted my arms for him to remove it. Without stopping he unsnapped my bra discarding it hastily. He ran his hands over my nipples watching them tighten under his touch. He caressed me as I grinded against him, needing friction.

He lowered his head taking my nipple between his lips as I pulled his hair calling out his name to the wilderness. I reached for his shirt letting him know I wanted it off. He lifted off and my hands roamed his long, lean, figure. I brought my mouth to him and his hands were all over my back, my hips, and my ass.

Holding me to him, pressing me closer, he laid me on the grass, letting my hair sprawl out under me. He stared at me, smiling beautifully. "Beautiful," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Edward."

He removed my converses and socks before reaching forward to unbutton and unzip my jeans. Taking them off me, he lowered his head between my legs and pulled away my booty shorts tossing them with my already forgotten clothing. He nipped along my thighs before his tongue came out and circled around me before finally pushing it all the way inside me and repeating. He slid two fingers inside me and groaned. The vibrations causing me to moan involuntarily. His tongue worked perfect with his fingers pushing me into my orgasm.

I grasped his hair pushing his deeper. "Edward!"

He curled inside me causing my hips to jerk and a loud cry tore from my throat, and I writhed beneath him. He lapped me until my body finally calmed down and he kissed his way up my body before pulling away and cupping his hand to my cheek.

I reached between us, slipping my hand into his jeans and gripping him tightly. Quickly I unzipped and unbuttoned his jeans releasing him and lead him towards my center. I wanted him. Bad. Edward kissed me again. I'd never felt more alive than when I was with him. I loved him, completely and irrevocably.

Slipping his tongue into my mouth, I felt his hand clasp around my own and push himself away from me. Did he not want this? He just said he loved me. Why did he not want me? I stared at him confused.

He touched his forehead to mine. "It pains me to refuse you this way."

"Then don't," I whispered.

"I want to do right by you, Bella. Be the guy you deserve to have. And that guy would wait until marriage to take you this way."