Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, items, products etc. are the property of their respective owners. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise, products or locations (They ARE NOT MINE). No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters and plot are the only things that I own.

Chapter Twelve:

Leah held up two pairs of shoes in my general direction, and I rolled my eyes; we had been at this for almost an hour, and she didn't even really like the guy. I obviously was missing the point.

"The copper ones will look nice with the purple."

"You sure?" Leah asked, putting a shoe from each pair on a foot and standing in front of the mirror. She took turns standing on one foot then other while chewing on her lip.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Okay. The flats will make us closer in height, anyway. That's important to some guys, right?"

I just nodded, covering a fake yawn. Leah just stuck her tongue out at me.

"Where is he taking you, anyway?"

She looked at me in the refection of the mirror. "Probably the Lodge; he's looking to get some, tonight."

My eyebrows rose at her statement. "And…will he be getting some?"

The mischievous grin on Leah's face gave me my answer.

"So, let me get this straight. After two decent dates, number three is the deal breaker, but will still get both of you laid?" Leah nodded; I continued. "And you're still going to break it off with him afterward?"

Before she answered, she dug through my make up until she found the lip-gloss she wanted.

"Yep. He knows he's only the rebound; I've been honest from our first date. Maybe, if the sex is good…"

"Leah!"

"What?" She glanced back over her shoulder at me. "I'm serious. This is what I want, Cas, I've been a bitter wench for too long. I think a good thorough fucking is exactly what I need."

Before I could respond, Embry muted the television and yelled through the wall, "If this human 'tard isn't good enough in the sack, Leah, all you have to do is ask!"

My mouth dropped open; I was speechless. Unbelievable. However, when Leah didn't make an immediate retort my eyes narrowed and I found my voice.

"Don't you even think about screwing my twin, Leah."

Leah yelled back at Embry before returning to my closet, "What makes you think I'd give your tiny dick a chance at a second round?"

I stared open-mouthed at her back, trying to force the mental denial I so desperately wanted into my brain -it didn't work. She had clearly implied there had been a first round between her and Embry. Oh, God, this wasn't happening.

"Do you have any silver hoop earrings, Cassie?"

Leah's abrupt change of topic was welcome, but her quiet tone solidified my train of thought. Ugh. Those two having sex was a mental image I could have lived without.

I rubbed my temples and sighed. "My hoops are in the top drawer of the jewelry box."

The front door finally clicked closed, and I released a huge sigh. Did every family have this amount of drama? God. I still couldn't believe that my new female best friend had slept with not one, but both of my brothers! How does that even happen? La Push wasn't that small but, then again, my family was pretty good-looking. Oh, jeez. I forced myself to get up off the bed and started straightening up the clothing disaster than Leah had left in her wake.

Apocalyptica was blaring so loudly out of my speakers that I barely heard Jake come in. The immediate calm that washed over me was my first clue that he was close. He turned down the music and just raised his eyebrows at me.

My face contorted as I wrinkled my nose. "Did you know about Leah and Embry?"

He was able to choke off his fit of laughter when I glared at him. Jake cleared his throat and tried to make his face serious.

"Yeah." He tapped his temple with a finger. "Pack mind, and all."

My shoulders slumped -some things were better off not being confirmed.

"When?"

Jacob chuckled at my discomfort, but came over and wrapped me in a hug before he answered.

"Oh, maybe a year or so ago. It was just harmless sex, Cas. I don't think either one of them thought it was more than that."

"Still…" I managed to mumble into his shoulder, and his chest vibrated with silent laughter.

"Welcome to Rez life. I think you're officially part of the family now."

I didn't immediately respond; Jake's comment had successful derailed my thought process, but sparked a whole new one.

"When are you going to introduce me to your dad, by the way? Or are you afraid he won't like me?" I asked, pulling away slightly so I could see his face.

Jake paused for a second. "He gets back from visiting my sister on Sunday, and I know he would love to meet you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to him first though." He moved closer to nuzzle my neck with his nose.

Hugging him to me, I snaked my fingers around the waistband of his shorts to his back.

"What do you need to talk to him about?"

"It's just been a while since we've talked. We had a bit of a falling out before he left for Hawaii and I need to apologize. But, after we've talked, I would love for you to meet him."

My eyes widened. "I didn't know Rebecca lived in Hawaii."

"Yeah, she turned down a scholarship to move out there. She fell in love with some professional surfer, got married, and they just had twins. Rebecca's husband just won some surfing contest, so they were able to afford to fly my dad out there to meet his grandkids."

"That's fantastic! We'll have to go visit them sometime. I've always wanted a reason to go Hawaii." Grinning up at him, I saw the amusement in his eyes. Jacob changed the subject before I could ask about the falling out he had with his father.

"We have three hours before you start your patrol with Paul..." When his lips met the curve of my neck he trailed off, and his tongue left a wake of warmth as it made its way to my ear lobe.

"Mmmhumm." I mumbled, closing my eyes and allowing my hands to drop below his waist and settle on his firm ass. Squeezing, I tugged his body against mine and smiled. "So, did you want to watch a movie…or play a video game?"

He didn't even pause, but instead, walked me backwards until the back of my knees bumped into the side of my bed. Jake gave out a frustrated growl when I remained standing, but his hands kept moving and neither did his lips. His mouth moved from my jaw to my lips, and he kissed me hard before pulling back just slightly. We were so close together our noses touched.

"Do you seriously want to watch a movie?"

I had to bite my lip in order to keep my huge grin at bay. Moving to sit on the bed, I tugged him between my legs and my hands moved slowly back around his waist, so my thumbs could trace the perfect teasing "V" that disappeared down into Jacob's shorts. Meeting his eyes, I inched closer to his hard and chiseled stomach until my mouth was flush against him. After lazily drawing my tongue along the lines of his muscles for several moments, I pulled back.

"I might be able to think of something else that would be a bit more fun, what do you think?"

The heat between us flashed, as my fingers found themselves at the waistband of Jake's shorts.

I leaped up and around the boulders as I made my way up the steep incline. There was nothing that could describe the power of my wolf body; I wasn't out of breath, and not a single muscle burned as I reached the summit.

You don't have to run everywhere, you know.

I rolled my eyes at Paul's comment, before taking in the view; the Pacific looked like a sculpted piece of smooth glass from this distance, and the salty undertone in the air was barely evident.

I happen to like running, Paul. Maybe if you tried it, you'd lose some of your beer gut.

Paul snorted. I don't have a beer gut. I waited for his biting return comment, but it didn't come.

I just managed to loop around back toward the Rez when it hit me. I was near to the Cullens' territory, so the undertone of leech was a constant in the air, but this was fresh. Potent. Slowing my pace, I inhaled deeply, letting the odor permeate my brain and burn my nose. It was Bella -and she was close.

Paul interrupted my thoughts. She's probably looking for Jacob.

No kidding, Paul. I figured she would be looking for you! You and her go way back, right?

My strides slowed as Bella's smell burned like acid through my nostrils and down into my lungs.

I wonder what the hell she wants? She's finally been leaving him the hell alone and letting him live his life.

The dense trees in front of me gave way to a small clearing, and in the very center stood Bella. She was perfectly still and didn't even bother to blink as I inched into the open space. Apparently, they saved the human façade for public interactions only.

Let's just go see what she wants, huh? I stopped within ten feet of the treaty line and sat down facing her.

Bella didn't move, but her eyes widened just marginally. We sat in silence facing each other for several minutes, before I cocked my head to the side.

Is she always like this? I questioned Paul.

No idea. I've always tried to keep my interaction with her to a minimum. I never had any use for her and, frankly, she irritates the hell out of me.

It blows my mind that you might not like someone, Paul. Cocking my head to the other side, I snorted, breaking the awkward silence.

Just because you and Leah are pals now doesn't mean we need two sarcastic bitches in the pack.

You like it, Paul, don't kid yourself. My mental conversation was far livelier than the female standing in front of me.

Bella finally moved; it was barely noticeable but her shoulders straightened up, and then she spoke.

"I've…ah…been meaning to meet up with you again, Cassandra. Would you mind if we talked for a bit?"

Seriously? What on earth do we have to talk about?

You could tell her how awesome Jake is in the sack.

Oh, shut it, Paul. I'll be right back. If something comes up, howl or something.

Paul snorted from the other side of the Rez. I could take care of anything that might come up, Cassie. Good luck with Hells Bells.

Moving back into the trees, I phased, yanking my short dress over my head in a quick practiced motion, before I reemerged and slowly walked back toward Bella.

An awkward smile contorted her perfect features as she looked at me. I didn't smile back; what you see is what you get.

"Is there something you need, Bella?" My tone was almost cordial, but I was pretty certain my body language was betraying me. Every hair on my body stood on end.

She was quiet for several seconds, before she dropped her gaze. "I love Jacob."

Her words were so quiet I had barely heard them. Surely I had heard her wrong, because why the hell would she say that to me? Did she want me to kick her ass? My fists clenched behind my back. I didn't reply and she didn't look up, but stammered onward.

"When we kissed, I mean…when I let him kiss me…I…I meant it." Bella looked up at me then; her eyes were filled with such sadness that I almost felt a little sorry for her. Almost. It was a battle to keep my face impassive, but I wasn't nearly as good of an actor as my twin. I bit down hard on my bottom lip, and kept myself from screaming at her to get to the damn point.

Why can't exes just be that? Exes. They might physically leave, but you're never truly rid of them, and Bella needed to spit out whatever she needed to say before I said something rude.

"Jake told me once that he would be my friend… that he wouldn't ask for anything else…" Her pause was awkward and drawn out, as the image of Jake lying broken in his bedroom after the fight with Victoria's newborn army surfaced clearly in my brain. I felt ill, and wondered if Bella had any idea that I was privy to their private moment.

Finally, she continued. "He never did…after that…ask for anything else. Sometimes, I wish he hadn't given up so easily; I wish I hadn't pushed him away, but it was for the best…" The silence stretched between us again, and Bella played awkwardly with her manicured nails. "He was my natural path, you know…He loved me, but my love for Edward was so different, so perfectly consuming…Jake and I could have been happy together; he was my soul mate…in a different reality…"

My arms were trembling; I was so frustrated. Why the hell was she saying this to me?

When I took a step forward, Bella took a small one back. My emotions were as clear-as-day on my face, which was good. I didn't want there to be any confusion.

"Listen, Bella, I know you and Jacob had a very intense and meaningful relationship. I don't doubt that he loved you; I know he did, with all his heart. But you made your choice, and the choice you made hurt someone who I love. Someone I love more than anything else in this entire world. If you so much as inhale wrong and it hurts him again, I will find you and I will destroy you. I won't care about the treaty, or your little coven, or even your history as a human. If you hurt my Jacob again, it will not end well for you." My ground-out threat ended with a menacing growl that came from so deep within my chest it burned.

If it wouldn't upset Jacob, I'd rip her to shreds right now -and she knew it. Bella took another step away from me; this one was substantially larger than her last retreat.

"I know…"Again she paused, and toyed with her nails. "That's why we're leaving." My eyes narrowed; I didn't believe her. "Our time here expired years ago, and I need to let go of my past. He deserves to be happy, with his…" Bella gestured to me weakly, but didn't finish her sentence. Maybe "imprint" was too intimidating of a word for her. "We're leaving, and we won't be coming back in your lifetime."

My clenched fists loosened ever so slightly. "Have you told him?"

Yet again, her gaze moved but didn't meet mine. "No, Carlisle was going to."

"What? He deserves more than that, even from you!" The words came out just as harsh as I hope they would, as I continued to scowl at the top of her bowed head.

She took another step back and moved as if she was getting ready to make a run for it, but she paused. The seconds felt like an eternity before she spoke again.

"You're right…I should…I should tell him…" Bella turned, and looked over her petite shoulder at me before whispering, "You know, I'm jealous of you, Cassandra…"

I interrupted her -this conversation needed to end, "You made your choice, Bella. You didn't love him enough, remember? You decided your future; you couldn't keep them both to yourself for forever."

Her eyes flashed with an emotion. Was she finally done wallowing and getting upset?

"Edward was always what I wanted, Cassandra. Nothing ever changed that..." Her almost sharp tone receded back to the quiet, melancholy singsong voice of hers. "I just miss the best friend I had to give up for the existence I chose."

I nodded briefly, acknowledging that I had heard her. Then she was gone, and I was left standing in the middle of the clearing. What the hell had just happened? I wracked my brain trying to come up with the point she had been trying to get me to understand. Maybe she was just trying to frustrate me to death with her pointless musings?

The only clear image that kept repeating itself in my brain was the image of my Jake beat all to hell after risking his life for her. Jacob lying in his bed, feverish with the overwhelming pain of his countless broken bones, and she did nothing but pour salt in his wounds. My bottled-up emotions bubbled over and I punched the nearest pine tree, obliterating its trunk with the force of my blow. Bella comes here, wastes my time and makes me relive one of the most painful memories my imprint ever had -How dare she. I was seeing red, and no amount of deep, calming breaths were going to help me regain control over my emotions.

Finally, my anger and frustration subsided, and I looked around at the demolished pine trees that had absorbed the onslaught of my repressed feelings, and felt even guiltier for my outburst. I should have been beyond this; I'd been with Jake today, not even five hours ago. Stupid potent imprint and irritating irrational werewolf emotions this was ridiculous. This was ridiculous. I moved to drag my hand down my face to try and manually clear my thoughts but stopped when I caught sight of it.

Blood dripped off my fingertips, even though the lacerations on my knuckles were already healing. My forehead rested against the smooth moss of the large tree I had left standing, and I focused on the air entering and exiting my lungs. It was my fault; I shouldn't have let her get to me. She was just a silly girl who thought she could have her cake and eat it too.

Minutes seemed to pass in slow motion, as I was finally able to get myself under control. I needed to talk to Jacob. Emotional and uncontrolled outbursts weren't acceptable where Jacob and Bella were concerned.

Paul was walking loudly through the underbrush, intentionally I was sure, but it allowed me to take another few deep calming breaths before I undressed and phased.

I could feel his mental nudges at the corner of my consciousness, and I just growled at him when he appeared next to me.

The meeting went well, then, I take it.

I answered his question with bared teeth and another growl. His dark eyes slowly blinked at me as he surveyed the damaged around us.

I doubt that these innocent trees deserved to be annihilated, Cas. Though, I do wish I would have been here to witness the destruction. I bet you're fucking sexy when you're mad.

Screw off, Paul. You'll see what happened eventually, but Jake needs to hear it first.

We ran next to each other as we completed my section of the patrol circuit. After several minutes of silence, Paul suddenly cut in front of me and stopped, forcing me to look at him.

You didn't kill her did you?

No. It was closer than she knows, though.

Did you maim her in any way?

I just rolled my eyes; he let out the breath he had been holding and took a step to the side, so I could get around him.

Good. Jake wouldn't be too happy about that. Plus, with this whole Treaty thing…

I know… I should go with you to your next anger management class.

AN:

Thanks (as always) to the lovely, Leanne Golighty for being the best pre-reader and grammar-nazi beta a girl could ask for And Lauren, thanks for tearing my sentence structure apart only to put it back together with pesky punctuation.

Check out the *Original Character Awards* that Leanne and I are putting together! The more people we can get to nominate and vote the better it will be, so please check us out. I'd love you forever! originalcharacterawards(dot)blogspot(dot)com

*wolfy hugs* Thank you for taking the time to read my fic!