Chapter 11 – Pursuing Love

Jacob POV

I came home the next night. I needed a day to run everything out of my system. I knew as soon as I shifted back into my human form, everything would come crashing down on me once again. I just hoped it wouldn't be that bad. I shifted within the forest and then reached into the bush where Embry had left me some shorts earlier. I made a mental note to thank him next time I shifted, or saw him.

I tied my shorts as I jogged home. It was raining very lightly and the clouds were rolling in. Maybe we'd have a storm tonight. I went in to check the weather on the TV. As I was flicking through the channels, I heard my dad clear his throat from the kitchen. I didn't even know he was in there. I turned off the TV and went in. It was obvious he wanted to talk about something. He was sitting at the kitchen table, with his hands intertwined.

"What's up, dad," I said, cautiously. I pulled out a chair, to sit across from him. He raised his eyes to look at me as I took the seat.

"Are you running from Bella again?" he asked. I averted my eyes, looking at the table.

"Dad, it's really none of your business-" I started, but he interjected, raising his hand to call for silence.

"I just want to figure out what you're doing, so I know how to address Charlie. He called today, saying Bella seemed miserable. He was wondering if something happened between you two, or if she was just overly upset about his punishment against seeing Edward," Billy said. I growled as he called the leech by name. I only did it when I was addressing Bella, so as to not piss her off.

"There are just some issues we're having right now. Neither of us knows how to handle them, I think," I said, trying to get the irritation out of my voice. My dad did nothing to deserve my attitude. He seemed to think, looking into his hands. I waited patiently. My dad was wise; he always helped me out when I had problems. Maybe he'd have some insane plan for me to try out.

"So, you're not pursuing her because you haven't imprinted on her?" he asked, catching me off guard.

"Among other reasons," I said.

"What other reasons?" he asked. I grumbled a little. Hopefully readdressing this issue would actually help.

"She's with a vampire, she loves him, she doesn't love me- take your pick," I said. Again, I reminded myself he didn't deserve my agitation. Billy grunted and leaned forward.

"She loves you, which solves all those problems. So your main issue is you haven't imprinted on her," he said. I saw this going somewhere. I sat up a little straighter. Had he talked to Sam?

"I think you could still imprint on Bella," he said. I think my heart stuttered. I could still imprint on Bella? It was like heaven on earth. Sure, I had told myself over and over again that I could still imprint on her, but it was a lost cause, somewhere deep in the crevices of my mind. Which was why I was fighting this tooth and nail.

"What do you mean?" I asked, when he didn't go on. He thought for a moment, probably trying to figure out how to phrase his thoughts.

"Love... Cannot pursue until it is being pursued, if that makes any sort of sense," he said, looking up at me for confirmation. I thought about it for a minute, trying to decipher. Finally, I shook my head. He went on.

"All the pups that've imprinted so far, from Sam's experience... He says that when he imprinted on Emily, she wasn't seeing anyone. Her heart wasn't anywhere else, so his body registered that. I guess you could say the body will wait until the opportune moment to imprint. If it will cause more pain for the imprint to occur, it will hold off. Your life mates, so time is just an obstacle," Billy tried to explain. I was still a little confused. Apparently it showed on my face. He scooted the wheelchair closer to the table, getting near to me.

"Once Bella's no longer hindered by the vampire, you might imprint on her," he said, tying everything together for me. I leaned back a little, weighing the options. I could pursue Bella, our chemistry, our gravitational physical pull on each other, and see how it worked out. See if I imprinted on her. On the other hand, I could let her stay with the vampire and come to me on her own, if she ever did.

I let out a breath and slumped in the chair. Billy was waiting for a reply from me, I could feel it. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know that I wanted to break the blood sucker and Bella up. I didn't want to feel like a home wrecker.

But hadn't she said things have been difficult since he came back? Since our kiss? Things weren't perfect for them, so maybe I'd just be doing her a favor. I tried to ponder that side of it. I glanced up at my dad and nodded.

"Let me think about it a while, dad. I need a shower," I said, getting up from the table. He waved his hand and plugged his nose.

"Tell me about it. I was trying to keep this conversation serious, but you reek," he said. I laughed and rolled my eyes, turning to the bathroom. "Thanks dad," I called, over my shoulder, and then walked into the bathroom, shutting the door.

I turned the water on hot and slipped out of my clothes. I jumped in and leaned against the shower wall, letting the water wash over my head. I tried to process my options. I tried to think about the pros and cons. But really, I only had one choice. I'd always only had one choice. I'd just been too ignorant to address it.

Bella was too much a part of me, a part of my past, a part of who I was. I couldn't cut her out of my life completely. She hadn't been turned into a vampire yet, so she was obviously doubting herself. She had said her and the leech were having problems. He wasn't coming by to see her as often. She didn't smell like him. And the biggest thing... Bella seemed to be craving physical attention now, and she was realizing she couldn't get it from Edward. That leaned the tables into my favor by an overly large golden brick.

I smiled against the shower wall, enjoying the cool tiles against my forehead.

Then, once Cullen was out of the picture, maybe I would be able to imprint on Bella..

I decided then and there that I would see her. I would see her tonight. I would see her once I was done with this shower.

Even though I was anxious, I took my time. I would get dressed up for her, just as she had been getting dressed up for me.

A/N : Mwaahahahaha. SHORT chapter. I have the next two already written. Gimme..... 10 reviews, and I'll post one. It's up to you!