Chapter 11

Jake's blood turned to ice as he dropped his plate to the table, all thoughts of hunger forgotten. "Sam, I can try to explain…" Jake stammered.

"Explain why Bella showed up at my house!"

"Wait, what?" Jake asked confused.

"Oh, it gets better," Sam mocked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Despite being in trouble, Jake released a deep breath. He knew Sam was upset about Bella, but it was only a shadow compared to the volcano which would erupt if Sam found out about Emily. It wasn't if, it was when and Jake was terrified of what that moment would be like.

"Gets better how?" Jake asked.

"She knows! How the hell did she figure out what we are?" Sam yelled.

"How would I know? You have kept me here all the time." Jake pointed out, trying to defend himself. Bella had pieced together the clues he had given her and remembered the complete story he had told her on the beach. "What did she tell you?"

"Just that she can accept the wolf, just doesn't want us to keep killing people." Sam shook his head.

"That is insane, we aren't killing people. Did you tell her that?"

"Yes," Sam replied.

"Where is she?" Jake looked around the room, even though he would have to be blind as a bat to have Bella be in the room and him somehow miss her.

"The storm was getting nasty and due to it being mostly dirt roads I convinced her to leave before her truck got stuck in the mud." Jake raised his eyebrows impressed Sam could convince Bella of anything considering how stubborn she was. "Yes, you do know her well," Sam continued. "She really wants you to give her a call."

Jake nodded his head and finally took his first bite of the food he reheated. It only took a second to shovel the next helping in his mouth. "I'll call her in a minute," Jake said, his words garbled from food.

Sam laughed. "Or so you think."

"Sam," Jake glared. "What is your deal? I think you are taking your alpha control a little too seriously. What could I possibly say that you would have a problem with? She already knows everything!"

"She thinks she does, but she doesn't know it is true." Sam challenged.

"You confirmed we don't kill people, right?"

"Yes, I already said that."

"Then you confirmed what she thinks is true. Let me talk to her and clear up any misunderstanding she might have. I was serious about Bella not being bait, but let's face it, she knows more about this than we do. Why is some vampire after Bella?"

Sam shook his head thoughtfully.

"We need the answer to that question, and you know it."

As Jake continued to eat, Emily returned to the kitchen. Jake watched her poke her head in the refrigerator and then join him at the table. Emily must have a gift when it came to food. While Jake simply reheated what had been prepared, she took a little of this and that and in minutes had created for herself something new.

"What is it?" Emily asked, noticing Jake staring at her.

"You are just gifted, that's all." Jake smiled at her.

Emily blushed and shook her head.

Jake felt thankful they could continue to be themselves even with Sam just a few feet away. It gave him hope they could figure each other out. Sometimes, feelings of guilt for what he was doing to Sam tried to creep in, but he pushed them to the side. Wouldn't Sam want Emily to be as happy as she could be? What if Jake was the person to make that happen?

"Jake!" Embry grinned at his friend, interrupting Jake's thoughts. Embry shut the front door behind him and quickly joined Jake at the table.

"Hey man!" Jake returned, happy to see him. He noticed Emily leave the table and returned to the kitchen.

"How's it going?" Embry made a quick nod towards Sam, but didn't say his name.

Jake shrugged. "It could be better, but it could be worse. How's Dad and Bella?"

"I don't know about your dad, but Bella is a mess, especially at night."

"Bad dreams?" Jake guessed.

"How do you know about that?" Embry asked.

"She had them before. Charlie said it was every night."

"He's right."

"I wish there was something I could do for her," Jake sighed.

He felt something brush against his shoulder and looked to see Emily reach next to him to hand Embry a plate of food.

"Thank you, Emily," Embry said, as he immediately began to eat.

Jake felt her lean into his side. She smiled contently as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Can I get you anything, Jake?"

He paused to think if there was anything he wanted, but wasn't in a hurry to come up with anything specific. Looking into her coffee-colored eyes, a smile spread across his face without realizing it. It didn't take long for Emily's grins to match Jake's as they looked at each other. During their talk, Jake connected with Emily in a real and emotional way and he believed she had with him as well.

A swift kick to his shin from across the table broke Jake from his stare. He looked at Embry and then back at Emily. "Uh, no… I'll let you know if I do." Jake stammered.

"Alright." Emily nodded and looked at Embry with a slight blush staining her cheeks.

"What the hell, Jake?" Embry whispered so low only another wolf close by would hear him.

"It is not what you think," Jake whispered back.

"It had better not be," Embry warned.

"Okay, so it kinda is," Jake added. He knew he couldn't lie to his best friend because he was a terrible liar and Embry knew it. However, similar to clues with Bella, he could tell him half truths which would keep Embry from knowing everything.

"Have you lost your damn mind?"

"It is nothing serious. I'm just bored."

"You had better find a hobby or something before Sam has a good reason to kill you."

"Too late…" Jake said and instantly wished he hadn't. That was way more information than he meant to share. Whatever was happening with Emily felt exciting and he didn't want it to be a secret.

"God, Jake… How late is too late?" Embry asked.

Jake grinned as he thought about making out with Emily and feeling her partially clothed body against his. They were great memories filled with desire and appreciation for someone who treated Jake well and he wanted to do the same for her.

"Jacob." Sam's booming voice interrupted Jake's thoughts and made his grin dissolve from his face.

"Never mind, I don't want to know," Embry mumbled.

Jake sighed and looked at Sam. "Yeah? What?"

"I have decided Bella's information about the vampires will be helpful. I'd like you to invite her here to discuss it."

"Okay, I'll call her." Jake left the table and borrowed Sam's phone to call Bella.

After ringing three times, Bella finally answered. "Hello?"

"Hey Bells, it's Jake," he said.

Her voice still put a smile on his face and he released a sigh that he would finally get his friend back. As he thought of Bella as his best friend he no longer felt the longing for something more. Sometime during his stay with Emily, his feelings shifted. Though he knew he still loved and cared about Bella, however, his romantic thoughts of Bella dissipated into contentment, they could remain as friends and he no longer felt disappointed.

"Jake! I tried to see you today."

"Yeah, I know," Jake said. "Sam told me. Actually, he'd like to talk to you. Can you come back to his place?"

"I can't right now, I'm making dinner for Charlie. I can later tonight, unless, uhm, you don't think it is safe and then I'll come in the morning."

"It is actually the safety thing we need to talk to you about. How about you call before you come? I'll meet you outside and make sure you get inside safely."

"If you're sure, I don't want you getting hurt."

Jake chuckled. "I'll be fine, I promise."

"Okay, see you tonight, Jake."

"Bye, Bella." Jake hung up and looked across the room at Sam. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes." Sam answered. "I will have Paul and Jared be here as well."

"Paul had better keep his mouth shut. I don't want him being rude to Bella."

"I'll talk to him, but you need to realize not all of us will like her."

"Got it." Jake acknowledged. He returned to the kitchen table where Embry still sat. Jake felt bad for dumping his attraction to Emily on his best friend. Embry appeared to be rolling thoughts around in his mind and Jake wanted to help him, but didn't know how.

Emily remained at the kitchen counter as she marinated ground beef for dinner. Jake decided to help her. Instead of asking, he simply left the table to join in.

"You don't have to do this," Emily told him.

"I know, but I want to." Jake smiled at her.

They moved around each other effortlessly. Jake did not consider himself a great cook, but since his sisters moved out, it left him and his dad to fend for themselves. There were lots of mishaps, but now it was rare for Jake to burn dinner.

They weren't doing anything other than making dinner, but enjoyed talking to each other and doing silly things to make each other laugh. He could feel Embry's eyes watching him as he worked with Emily. Sam called Paul, and he walked in the door right as dinner was ready.

"Perfect timing as usual," Paul smirked and gave Emily a wink.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I think your nose can smell food a mile away."

"That's two miles away." Paul corrected.

Jake felt jealousy rise up in him at their playful banter. No one noticed, except for Embry who gave him a look of caution. He knew Embry was right. Jared came to the table, followed by Sam, who gave Emily a kiss. It was a vivid reminder, Emily was not his to be jealous of.

Throughout dinner there was a mixture of opinions about Bella's involvement.

"What is the point of getting her 'help' if she can't be trusted?" Paul asked, insistent that getting Bella's input was a mistake.

"What makes you think she can't be trusted?" Embry asked.

"Her loyalty lies with them." Paul glared.

"Bella is loyal to her friends, which includes me." Jake countered.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I invited Bella to come share what she knows. If she refuses, then we know who's side she is really on," Sam said.

Jared reminded silent through most of dinner and Paul shoveled angry bites into his mouth.

"Thanks for dinner," Sam told Emily. He was the only person who acknowledged her by name. Others mumbled their thanks before stuffing their faces with whatever delicious thing she had to offer.

"You are welcome, Jake helped," Emily said with a smile.

"Good job, Jackie, glad you can be good for something." Sam taunted.

"Jackie? So only girls are suitable for helping?" Jake challenged.

Emily gave Sam a pointed look as she waited for his answer. "No, no, of course not…" Sam stammered.

"Jerk," Embry mumbled under his breath.

"Sam, I would like some help cleaning up. If you don't mind?" Emily smiled and gave him a look he literally could not refuse.

"Yeah… I'd love too." Sam followed her to the kitchen and within minutes he was elbow deep in soapy water.

Paul coughed. "Whipped." He coughed again.

Jared gave Sam a sympathetic look, but didn't judge him since he understood.

Embry smiled at Jake, which he returned.

Jake's admiration for Emily rose at her ability to put Sam in his place. Watching Sam doing something he clearly didn't really want to do, made Jake feel like Sam was equally trapped by imprinting as Emily. Could it be possible Jake was helping them both by allowing them to realize there was another alternative?

"Jake," he heard Emily say and turned his head towards her. She raised the phone as an obvious gesture of what she had called him for. He rose quickly, surprised he didn't hear it ring. "It's Bella."

"Thanks." Jake took the phone and watched Emily's face for signs of jealousy. He had told Emily once he loved Bella, but never again mentioned his feelings had changed. While listening to Bella, he nodded his head until he realized he needed to speak for Bella to hear him. "Great Bells, I'll be on the front porch. See you soon."

Paul, Jared and Embry found their way to the living room couch while Sam stayed in the kitchen with Emily and Jake went outside to sit on the front porch. The first star of night peeked through and he considered making a wish, but he didn't know what to wish for.

Bella said she needed him and it didn't sound like as just friends, but he had read her wrong before. Should he wish for Emily and risk destroying Sam? What would that do to the rest of the pack? Slowly the night sky filled with thousands of other twinkling lights and the first star blended in with all the others.

Jake sat on the porch thinking until headlights blinded his eyes. With one hand blocking the light, he raised from the porch and walked towards Bella's truck.

"Jeez, Bells, I can't see a thing." Jake grimaced. The rumble of her truck died and seconds later a trembling Bella tripped into Jake's arms. "Calm down, Bella. I got ya." Jake encouraged and kept his arm around her as they enter the house.

"Thanks, Jake." Bella hugged him tightly, leaning into his side. Five sets of eyes locked on Jake and Bella as they came to the living room to sit down on the loveseat.

Sam dried his hands and took his usual seat next to the couch. "Bella, Jacob tells us you know the red headed leech."

Bella flinched at the word leech and leaned further into Jake. "Yes, I know her." Her body trembled and her breathing increased as fear seized her body.

Jake took Bella's hand, holding her close. "Why is she after you?"

"The Cu-Cullens, killed her mate a year ago because he was trying to kill me."

Emily perched herself on the armrest of Sam's chair and watched Jake closely. Once again questions of jealousy swarmed in Jake's mind as he held Bella close to his side. For a brief second, his eyes connected with Emily's and her teeth found her lower lip in a nervous gesture he knew well. He wanted to tell her she didn't have anything to worry about that they would figure everything out and it would all be perfect. It was a promise he knew he couldn't make.

"I thought we killed her mate," Sam countered, putting his arm around Emily's waist. "He was with you in the meadow."

"You killed Laurant?" Bella questioned.

"Don't look so damn surprised." Paul glared. A slight tremor went down his body.

"Easy Paul," Sam cautioned him.

Protectively Jake brought Bella closer to him, which resulted in a low rumble from Paul's chest.

"If the Cullens killed her mate, then why is she after you?" Embry asked.

Bella swallowed slowly. "Mate for mate," she replied sadly.

"You have got to kidding!" Paul exclaimed. His appalled face looking the same as everyone's in the room including Jake's.

"Bella, that's, that's messed up." Jake added.

"I know. Edward would probably agree with you. We aren't… I'm not… what I thought." Bella lowered her head to lean against Jake's shoulder.

Jake sighed, his arm staying around Bella.

"What do we do with this information?" Jared asked.

Sam nodded thoughtfully. "We know her motivation is revenge, once that obsession is dealt with she will leave."

"But that's," Jake interrupted, but Sam continued without stopping.

"We don't want her to just move on, we want her destroyed. I would like to set up a trap, using Bella's scent."

"Only her scent?" Jake asked.

"Yes, unless it is not strong enough for her to follow. We don't know when she will be back."

"Where are we going to lead the bloodsucker?" Jared asked.

"It can't be Bella's home in Forks, there are too many neighbors and Charlie to consider." Embry added.

"What about here?" Paul suggested.

"What?" Sam instantly roared. "Have you lost your damn mind?"

Without thinking about it Jake growled as well. Bella carefully touched Jake's chest and while he found her touch relaxing he still did not like the idea of leading a blood thirsty leech to Emily's front door.

"Think about it." Paul insisted. "There is nothing but forest all around us and most importantly, no water. We are here all the time so the area would smell like us whether we are close by or not. All we have to do is make sure we are close by and nothing will happen to Emily."

"Absolutely not! There will be a different solution!" Sam declared. The need to protect his imprint had grown stronger after the accident. Every wolf knew Sam swore he'd never harm her again or put her in danger.

As much as Jake hated to admit it, Paul's suggestion was actually really good.


Next Chapter, Sam's POV! Please remember to review/comment, I love having feedback from my readers! And check out my website at JJLiniger dot com. To celebrate my birthday my book is on sale this weekend for only $2.99 on Amazon. Please buy my book!