None of the characters belongs to me except Clarisse; they belong to the lucky Stephanie Meyer. I would like to recommend two stories written by Jacob Lupo. My Personal Sun and The Ultimate Werewolf. They are true Jacob/ Bella stories. Thanks to all my supporters for sticking with me. I don't usually beg for reviews, because I'm so honored that you all would read my stories, but I would really love to hear all your opinions and ideas. Thanks so much Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Carpathian Wolf

Chapter Seven

(Bella's POV)

Awake, Not Again?

When I awoke, it was without confusion, I knew exactly where I was. Looking to my side, I was surprised to see I was alone. I was too keyed up the other night to take in my surroundings. Getting up slowly from the bed, I did so now.

Standing up I looked around with interest. The décor was simple, natural woods and shaker style furnishings. Splashes of color were found in draperies and pillows. It was pleasant and had a welcoming feel.

Walking over to a dresser with a mirror attached, I stared at my reflection, deep brown eyes and hair could not hide the tense muscle of my jaw. So much has happened in the last two days, things I thought were just myths are proved very real and I am now in some kind of danger and mated to a werewolf or so I am made to believe.

After the proof given to me, watching Jacob phase into a wolf and back again, I would be a fool not to believe or take the threat of danger seriously. My whole body became tense and heated when I think about what we shared and my reaction to him. Possible a hot shower would help.

Searching through his drawers, I found a t-shirt, that is twice my size, but would fit like a dress on me and the dark blue color prevents it from being see through. Grabbing that and a pair of small boxers, I entered the bathroom, which had a Jacuzzi tub and separate glassed in shower.

Looking at the tub longingly, I by passed it and turned on the taps to the shower, I adjusted the spray. Removing the robe, I stepped into the stall and let the pounding water Beat onto my body. I closed my eye as the steam surrounds me and forced myself to relax.

My stomach clenched as the other nights activities came unbidden to my mind. I stayed in the shower as long as possible, delaying the moment I would have to go and find Jacob to find out what happens now. Finally, the water began to run cold and I reluctantly stepped out, drying myself off and donning the shirt and under shorts I brought in here with me.

Taking a deep breath I exited the bathroom and walked over to the bedroom door, praying it was not locked, the knob turned easily in my hand, I stepped out closing the door behind me. Hearing voices coming from somewhere downstairs, I paused. He obviously had company.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to meet anyone else, especially more werewolves, but I made myself walk down those stairs, I might as well get this over with, and followed the voices to the back of the house. On reaching an area with a kitchen/family room combination, I stood by the hall wall and peeked around it.

"Hello." I said timidly and not too loud. I was surprised they heard me; I found myself the scrutiny of four pair of eyes.

That itself would have embarrassed me, but when I saw what Jacob held in his hands, really had my face red, looking up into his face I noticed he was a little embarrassed also. He quickly shoved the item into a bag and walked over to me. The look he had on his face then, had me in knots.

I felt like either running back up those stairs and hiding or throwing myself in his arms, but I decided to do neither, I did not want to make a fool of myself in front of his friends.

I looked around at the three people gathered and wondered who they were and if he would introduce us anytime soon, but when he stood in front of me and I looked in his eyes, the way they seem to devour me. At that moment I forgot about the others, I felt as though we were the only two people in the room.

Jacob's POV

I walked over to take her hand and introduce her to my friends, who are basically my family, well, with the exception of one as of now, but because of certain responsibility, I still have to look out for, Clarisse. I guess I will still have to introduce them. I just hope Clarisse behaves her self.

However, as I stood in front of her all that went out of my mind and I got tunnel vision to her lips. I had a sudden irrepressible need to kiss her. The desire encompass and overwhelmed me.

"Can I ask you for something?" I smiled rubbing my thumb against her lips.

The soft skin of her mouth was tempting and inviting, though I could just pull her in my arms and take her mouth with mine, having her pliant and breathless in no time, putting aside any doubts she may have, I will not take again without asking permission, she needs to feel she has a say in all this, at least when it came to her body, her safety is another thing.

I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Can I have a kiss?" and nipped it lightly. Holding one of her hand in mine.

She nodded, but I shook my head. "No sweets, I want to hear you say it. I need to know you want to kiss me too."

I know she is probably nervous, but the way she looked at my lips, I could tell she wanted this too, but I just needed to hear it. Give her the choice. In a way, I wanted Clarisse to see this. So she knows and gives up her silly thoughts of us being together.

Looking deep into my eyes. "Kiss me Jacob, I really want you to." She whispered. There was a look her eyes that almost brought me to my knees.

With a groan I pulled her flush against me, leaned down and nibbled at her lips, teasing gently, not only her but also myself from taking what I really wanted. Until she moaned and pulled me closer, if that was really possible.

She opened under me and I sank my tongue deep inside her mouth, as though making love to it. I felt a wave of heat run through me and lost all thought except for the consuming need to have her, to reach down and cup her enticing behind with my hands, lifting her to wrap her legs around me, then carrying her upstairs to finish this, but I resisted.

I was slipping further in her heat, drowning in her taste. All my good intentions were flying out the window; it was up to her to stop this now, because I was lost. That's when I heard someone cough, it seem to come from far away, then they coughed again a little louder.

I slowly lifted my lips from hers and tried to get myself under control before turning to face the room, well I tried to, but she had hid her face in my chest, I felt bad for embarrassing her, but not bad enough for kissing her like that in view of our company.

Leah walked over to us. "Bella, I've been dying to meet you since I heard," she took hold of her arm and tried to pull her away, "Since someone forgot their manners, she said glancing at me, "Let me introduce you."

I was not having it; I had no intention of allowing her too far away from me. "Sorry about that," I said, wrapping my arm around her waist, holding her to my side as we walked further in the room.

"You met Sam already, the lady that just tried to wrest you from me is Leah, Sam's wife."

"Hello Sam." She said timidly

"Hello Bella. It's good to see again." He smiled at her.

Leah came over and hugged her, which seem to surprise Bella. "It's a pleasure meeting you." Then stepped back and looked at her, "We were so happy and relieved to hear Jacob finally found you." To which she got a puzzled look from Bella.

She then walked over and sat by Sam, who was now seated in the loveseat. He was grinning with a twinkle in his eyes. I knew he had something smart to say.

"Not one word out of you." I said to him, but I could not help but smile.

I did not want to, but I knew it would be rude not to introduce her to Clarisse, the way things are going, she might have to stay here for a while. I just hope she took my warning seriously, if not I will personally escort her out the gate.

I kept her at my side and walked over to her. "Clarisse, this is Isabella Swan, my mate, Bella this is Clarisse an old family friend."

"It's nice to meet you." Bella said to her

"I'm sure," she replied haughtily

That irritated me; she was already trying to disrespect my mate. I growled deep in my throat so only another wolf could her, she got the message.

"Forgive me," she babbled, "it's been one of those days. Of course it's a pleasure meeting you." She said with a tight smile. "I was just making Jacob something to eat. Can I get you anything?"

Bella thought for a minute. "Sure, that would be nice, thank you." she said smiling shyly

"Anything special you would like?"

"Whatever Jake is having is fine."

"Would you like something to drink while you wait? We have lemonade and iced tea or something stronger."

"Iced tea would be lovely." Bella replied, still smiling at her.

While we waited for the iced tea, an uneasy feeling ran through me. Why is she being so nice? Could she be up to something? Nah, she knows how things work around here, in the anarchy of werewolves. Bella is basically her queen now and as such, has to show her respect.

I know she always envisioned her self-becoming my mate, but she should have known there was no possibility of that. Or does she? I guess she thought I would settle for her since I had not found my mate. I probably could have, but I have never thought of her in that way. Even if I were a regular man, she would never be my type.

I would never be able to find the pleasures in her arms as I would my true mate or able to keep the darkness from overtaking my soul as I could with my mate in my life. But somehow, she does not get that, she still thinks she would be as good as a true mate. She even suggested once that I could just mark her and she would be just like a true mate. I just looked at her as if she had lost her mind and walked away.

Is her mind slipping? I truly hope not. Her father is like a second father to me and I would hate to have to hurt her in anyway or banish her from our pack, but I will, if I have to. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing. She seem to accept that Bella is my mate and her queen. Yeah, I'm sure everything will be fine. All I have to worry about now is Edward Maeson.

And getting to know my mate…yep, all the pleasures that's Bella.

Another thing crossed my mind, she is the mistress of this house not Clarisse, and though it was nice of her to offer something to eat and drink to Bella, she made it seem as though she was the mistress and Bella was the guest. I guess it could be okay for now, until Bella gets more use to it here and to us. but this is her home now too and what she says goes, I just hope Clarisse understands that.

I'm sure I'm worrying for nothing, everything will be fine; I try to reassure myself again.

"Here you go," Clarisse said, handing Bella a tall glass of iced tea. "Enjoy."

"Thanks." Bella replied, taking the glass and smiling at her.

I pulled her back to my side, "Come on, let's go sit in the family room," I looked down and winked at her. "I'm sure Leah is dying to talk to you."

We walked in and sat down on the sofa, though it was a huge sectional I kept her right by me.

"So Bella, where are you from? I know from Sam that you are not originally from forks." Leah asked, and then looked from me to Bella. "If you mind me asking."

"No, I don't mind. I am originally from phoenix."

"Did you live there with you parents or on your own?"

"I lived there with my mom." Bella replied, I could hear the sadness in her voice

"You must miss her." I said, feeling the pain she felt, the deep sadness.

Her eyes filled with tears. "My mom passed away a few years ago."

I took the glass from her and placed it on the coffee table. Then picked her up and sat her on my lap, hugging her to me. "I'm sorry baby."

"What about your dad?" Leah asked her quietly

I looked over at her and shook my head, silently telling her no more questions, but Bella turned her head and looked at her.

"I haven't seen my dad in years. We have not heard from him since I was twelve, no one has," She shrugged her shoulder. "So we just assumed he must be dead." She looked down at her hands, which were resting on my chest." I don't know if I should grieve for him or be mad at him for abandoning us."

"No brothers or sisters?" Sam asked

She did not reply, just shook her head. I decided that was enough with the questions and silently let it known to the others that was enough questions for one night. I felt her sadness and it was making me mad that we were causing it.

"Bella, you want to see the things Jacob got for you?" Leah asked, touching her back

She got off my lap and sat beside me, just noticing the bags on the floor in front of us. she looked at me. "You brought all this for me?"

"Actually Leah did. I asked her to; I wanted you to have everything you needed." At the look on her face, I scrambled to say. "I hope you don't mind?"

"It's not that I mind Jake. It's just that, I just met you; I don't want you spending money on me. we could have gone to my house and gotten whatever I needed."

"I know babe, but remember the danger I was telling you about?" I touched her cheek. "We could not take that chance. I can't loose you Bella." Then reached down and gently kissed her lips.

She turned and looked towards Leah and Sam letting her gaze slide from one to the other, then a strange expression, I can't explain, came over her face.

"What's the matter?" I asked

She swung her gaze to me. "I think it's just hitting me. I… I'm just realizing."

"Realizing what?" I asked, confused about what she was trying to say.

"This is all real. You're a werewolf and I'm your mate." She looked at Sam and Leah again then back at me. "The birthmark I have on my back is just like the one you have on yours," she took a deep breath. "I know you have told me all this, but it's just hit me." looking at me in awe. "This is all real." She said again.

She swung her gaze back to Sam and Leah. "Are you two like Jacob? Are you werewolves?" She asked them nervously

"Yes we are." Leah answered her. "but you have nothing to worry about. You're part of our family, Jacob's mate." She reached over and grabbed Bella's hand. "I hope we become good friends. Just know, we will protect you with our lives."

Leah became silent, as if debating with herself about something. "Bella, you should know something, I wasn't…."

"Maybe we should talk about something else now." I interrupted, looking at her meaningfully "For tonight let's just forget that some of us in this room can turn into furry animals at will." That brought a smile from Bella.

I knew what she was about to say and I did not think now was the time or place to bring it up, besides I'm the one who should bring up the subject of her possible becoming one of us, the same way she was changed by Sam. I wanted her to get use to us and the changes in her life as my mate without freaking her out anymore, at least not tonight.

"Why don't we see what I got for you?" Leah suggested

"Okay." She replied with a smile

Leah moved over and sat beside Bella and they began going through the bags. Sam looked over at me, eyebrow raised. He knew why I stopped Leah. We began talking amongst ourselves as the girls looked through the things Leah brought. I felt content and at peace for the first time in years.

I knew this peace would not last. We expect trouble from Edward, but for now, tonight I will enjoy it.

Many things ran through my mind as I talked about our business with Sam, foremost on my mind was Bella's dad. I made up my mind I would try to find him after the trouble with Edward has been resolved or when I have time during. If I find him alive, he will have a lot to answer for.

I looked over at Bella, the love of my life and smiled. She must have sensed me watching her, because she turned and looked at me with a smile on her lips and twinkle in her eyes. I don't know why, but I became aroused and tried to convince myself that it would be a bad idea to pick her up, throw her over my shoulder and locking us in my room for an hour….or five.

I winked at her, she blushed and turned back to Leah. The thought I had when I first saw her in the office with Sam came to mind. I never realized just how beautiful a blush is on a woman, well, on my woman, my Bella.

Clarisse's POV

Look at her, thinking she can just come here and take over all I have waited and worked hard for. I know if Jacob had not met her, he would eventually realize that he loved me and make me his mate, make me the queen of this pack. It's what I deserve.

Jacob black should be mine, I was in his life longer, know everything about him

But that's okay. I'll bide my time. I'll smile and act like I actually accept her, just the thought chokes me. having to smile at her and pretend to be happy she is here, that she is in the spot that should be mine…but not for long, that's right, don't get comfortable little miss Bella, you won't be here for long.

I smile to myself as I go about fixing a meal for Jacob and his temporary mate. I sneak a peak over to where they are all sitting and grinned. Oh yes, she won't be here long at all.

I have a few surprises up my sleeve. Humming to myself silently, I continued making their meal.