-A/N-

Hey forgot to mention last chapter that I made a Twitter account where I'll post chapter updates and other things relating to the story, and just random thoughts that pop in my head (Which may not be appropriate).

Another big thing I want to say is read "Things I'll Never Say: The Jacob & Leah Story" by As Clear As Black. It's a fantastic story. "Jacob and Leah are such an unlikely pair. Can Leah put her differences aside and finally fall in love again or will her bitterness overtake all emotion and send Jacob running in the other direction?"

I don't even like Leah but that story made me change my mind. I totally recommend you check that out.

I do not own any of the recognizable characters presented in this story. No copyright infringement is intended. All other characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

10. IDEAS

Jacob's POV

A week had passed since I became Alpha. I didn't want to do it, but I didn't have any other choice. Someone has to.

During the week I had been out a lot, running patrols alongside some of the other pack members trying to accustom everyone to me being the leader. I wanted to be different form Sam. I wasn't just going to use the Alpha Command to get things done, I was going to try to just talk to them. And so far it was working.

On most of the pack.

During the past week, the pack gained two new members. I couldn't figure out why more of us would phase. We don't need to fight vampires anymore. I didn't want anyone else to have to go through what those in the pack already do, but apparently someone thinks we need more numbers.

Collin and Brady. Kids. Younger than Seth. Interestingly enough, they love being werewolves. They also love my Alpha Command, considering how often they have to hear it. They were driving me up a tree, I was losing my patience with those two.

At the end of the week, I came home from a late night patrol with Collin and Brady. I was exhausted and stressed out. I collapsed onto the bed, nearly crushing Terry in the process. I started to laugh, but I was just so tired and sore.

"Jacob, you nearly killed me! A little warning next time would be fantastic…" He shook my shoulder. "What's wrong? You're never this tired…"

I lifted my head from the pillow, feeling the strain in my neck. "An Alpha's work is never done."

Terry laughed. "Collin and Brady?"

"Collin and Brady…" I dropped my head pack into the memory foam goodness of my pillow. "They got into a fight with each other and I tried to stop them by getting in the middle of it. Those two are seriously strong. It was only after Brady rammed his head into my shoulder that I caved and commanded them to stop."

I felt Terry's hand on my shoulder and I turned my head to him. He smiled. "Do you need a massage?"

"That… is a fantastic idea…" I turned my head so I was facedown in the pillow.

Terry knelt over me and placed his hands on my sides, his thumbs pressing on either side of my spine right above my hips. His thumbs started moving in circular motions as he slowly worked his way up my back, remaining on my shoulder blades for a while. His hands continued up and started rubbing my neck. "I think I have an idea for you to help with all the stress of being Alpha."

"Hmm…? What's that?" I spoke into the pillow, hopefully loud enough for him to hear. "It's not just stress from being Alpha that upsets me. It's how much I've had to be apart from you for long periods of time, everyday."

Terry chuckled before he continued. "Well you're the main guy in charge, right?" He started using the palms of his hands, covering a bigger area than just his thumbs alone.

"Mmhmm…" Where did you learn to massage so good…? As Terry's hands worked their magic on my back, the marvelous sensation was working its magic getting me aroused. I smirked to myself as I realized I was too tired to even do anything about that.

"Why don't you have a… Beta… like a second in command?"

I liked where his thought process was going. "I just haven't thought about it."

"Well if you had a Beta, you could basically put him in charge and he'll do all of the things you've been doing lately. But you still call the shots. You could have him be in charge and you could stay here with me more." He started to use his knuckles, kneading deeply into my muscle.

"Ohh… That feels good…" I couldn't stop myself from moaning, that massage was exactly what I needed.

Suddenly, I could no longer feel Terry's hands on my back. He laid down on my back, his head next to mine. "What do you think of my plan?"

"Hey…! Why'd you stop the massaging?" I turned my head so our faces were mere inches from each other.

He pressed his lips to mine briefly before rolling off of me, onto his back. "I got tired."

I laughed. "You got tired."

Terry balled up his fist and playfully punched me in the shoulder. The same shoulder Brady's thick head slammed in to. "Really, what did you think?"

"Ow…" I rotated my shoulder around. Terry's punch actually hurt.

"Wait, wait, wait…" He gently touched my shoulder again, smiling. "I hurt you? Physically?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah… Whatever. You're plan. It sounds… like a good idea to me."

He laughed. "Of course it does! I'm pretty much the best that I know of."

I smiled and closed my eyes, ready for sleep that I desperately needed. Odds are I'd be up in a few hours to run early morning patrols again.

Terry was quiet for a while, and I was just about asleep, but he decided to continue talking. "Who would you pick?"

"Huh…? What…?" I groggily lifted my head from the pillow. "Pick for what…?"

"For your Beta."

I figured the conversation wasn't going to be ending anytime soon, so I rolled over onto my back and turned my head to Terry. "I honestly don't know. Who do you think I should pick?"

He started to rub his chin as he thought. "Well it should be someone who is experienced, like Paul or Jared…"

"I dunno, Terry. Seth is able to get Collin and Brady to listen better than I can. I think he might be a good Beta, and he'd listen to whatever I say without having to command him." I figured Seth would just need a chance to prove himself.

"But Seth is so young. Do you think the older guys will listen to him?"

I thought about that for a moment and an interesting idea hit me. "Well I could just command them to listen to whatever Seth says, but I have a better idea. Typically in the animal kingdom, wolves in the wild fight each other for dominance. And the winner is the Alpha."

"So you want them all to fight to see who get's to be the Beta?" He looked at me like I was crazy.

"Well no, not all of them. I'll narrow it down to two top contenders and then have them fight." I closed my eyes again, ready for bed.

It was quiet again for a while. I was totally ready to sleep when Terry spoke again. "Well, who are the two?"

I opened my eyes and stared into Terry's. "I don't know… Need sleep now… Talk more later…"

He laughed and brushed his hand across my face. "Alright, sorry. Goodnight Jacob."