Chapter 3:

Misunderstandings and Stupid Wolves

Jacob pulled up in front of his house and cut the engine.

"Here we are. It isn't much, but its home. Let's find my dad and see who's housing you." Jacob said.

A part of Jacob hoped Harry was staying with him and his dad, while the larger and more vocal part wanted Harry anywhere else. After the fit he threw when he found out Harry was coming, Billy probably decided that it wasn't worth the trouble or potential property damage to keep them under the same roof.

"Dad? Dad, we're here! Where is Harry staying?" Jacob called.

"Rachel's room!" came the muffled response.

Great, Jacob thought, how am I supposed to avoid him now?

"Apparently, you're staying here." He said to Harry, "Get your stuff, I'll show you your room. You want to go to the Cullen's tonight?"

"No. I have to go into Forks tomorrow to see the Weber's, so I'll go to the Cullen's after that. Hopefully Angel's parents will let me stay over if I stay late at the Cullen's." Harry said.

"I'd come get you, or the Cullen's will let you stay." Jacob said.

"I don't know the Cullen's and you have other obligations aside from ferrying me around at all hours. Besides, Angel and I go way back, and I've got my own ways to get to the Weber's house without disturbing them."

"How do you know Angela? I thought you'd never been out here before."

"We went to the same primary school and she does the summer program at my school every year." Harry said.

A wave of irrational jealousy went through Jacob. What was Harry's real relationship with the Weber girl? Was he fucking her? What right did she have to touch his Harry, his mate?

Jacob banged his head on the door. Stop that, stupid, he told the wolf within him, you have no claim on that Outsider, so you pull those cords back right now and Imprint on someone appropriate, preferably able to produce heirs.

Harry heard the loud thud and turned from his trunk to see Jacob bashing his head against the bedroom door and muttering to himself. Harry raised his eyebrows and snickered. Jacob reminded him of Remus so much at times; apparently there were a lot of similarities in natural and created werewolves.

"You know," Harry said conversationally, "yelling at the wolf doesn't help. It will just continue on doing whatever pissed you off, only now it thinks you're a twat."

The wolf laughed making Jacob growl, shoot Harry an extremely dirty look and storm out, slamming the door behind him. Harry laughed. It was going to be fun tweaking Jacob's tail, as long as he didn't get himself killed in the process.

Jacob stomped his way to the garage, still growling. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Bella's number. He needed to get away and he could vent to Bella. She was one of the few people who knew the truth. Listening to the Truly, Madly, Deeply ring back tone made him growl louder. He was really going to have to complain he thought as he waited for her to pick up.

Inwardly, the wolf howled in glee and Jacob could feel a sense of smugness coming from it. See! It seemed to shout, it's not just me, and Fate sees it too! Get back in there and claim our mate!

Shut up, Jacob told the wolf, he's not staying, and in case you hadn't noticed, he's MALE, that means no heirs and me out. Who would take orders from a childless Alpha?

Better to ask who would take orders from a MATELESS Alpha, the wolf snarked back, pups can be acquired in other ways, and there is only one mate.

Jacob was so lost in his argument with his wolf, that he was startled when Bella picked up the phone. "Are you at Charlie's?" Jacob asked when she answered.

"Yeah, why?" Bella asked.

"Stay there. I'm coming over." Jacob said.

"What? Why? Jacob…" Bella said, but all she heard was a dial tone.

Jacob was pushing his motorcycle out of the garage when Billy appeared at the door.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Billy asked.

"Bella's." Jacob said shortly, straddling the bike.

"Bella's? But what about…" Billy started.

"You wanted that short-shit hot-shot here so badly, you deal with him." Jacob snarled.

"Now, Jacob, you have a responsibility as Alpha…" Billy tried again.

"I'm delegating." Jacob said, kicking the starter and speeding off.

Billy shook his head and sighed. That boy's acting like someone's poaching his territory, he thought.

Jacob pulled up behind the old battered Chevy truck and saw Bella sitting on the front porch, holding out a glass of lemonade. He drained the glass and the cool liquid seemed to cool the hot, bubbling frustration inside him. He dropped down to the floor and leaned his head on Bella's leg. She ran her fingers through his thick black hair and just let him sit. After a few minutes, she broke the silence.

"So, what's got your panties bunched up so bad you had to rush over here after commanding me to stay like I'm one of your puppies?" She asked.

Jacob's lips twitched upward in an odd parody of a smile. "But, Bella, you are part of my pack." He said.

"Yeah, whatever, answer the question."

"That kid from Boston I told you about…"

"What about him?"

"He arrived today." Jacob said, getting up and starting to pace.

"And? What's he like?" Bella asked.

"He is so blasted infuriating!" Jacob spat, "He's an Outsider and he thinks he can just waltz in, get everything handed to him an leave again without thinking of anyone else. He's arrogant, thinks he knows everything and talks like he ate a dictionary. I'm convinced he makes up words and those stupid green eyes of his look right into you and I know they were judging me. That idiotic hairstyle he has makes me want to either brush it out of his face or take a pair of scissors and chop it all off! And when he laughs… ugh… I just want to toss him down on the ground. He walks like he's Gods Gift and nothing would be stupid enough to take him on, and he's… he's… smarmy! Trying to act all humble, 'Oh, I don't want to inconvienence you, I'll see of the Weber's will let me stay if I'm out late' in that screwed accent he's got. I'll bet he has a body to die for under those oh-so-correct clothes he's wearing." Jacob's mouth snapped shut and he blushed deeply when he realized what he said.

By this time Bella was on the floor laughing and Jacob glared at her.

"How is any of this funny?" he asked.

"Oh, my god, Jacob, you're in lust with him!" Bella gasped out.

"What would make you think that? And even if I was it wouldn't matter, I think he's got a thing going with your friend Weber." Jacob sulked.

"Angela? I highly doubt it. She's dating Mike Capelli, has been for over a year." Bella said.

"Good, maybe she'll keep her grubby little hands off my Harry." Jacob muttered.

Bella's jaw dropped. "Your Harry? Oh, Life's Blood, Jacob, did you Imprint on him?"

Jacob's wolf howled with laughter. See, it said, even the ditz gets it, lets go get him.

"NO!" Jacob shouted, answering both Bella and the wolf.

Liar, said the wolf. Jacob snarled inwardly and the wolf wisely backed off.

"Aw, Jacob, its not that bad. What's the worst that could happen?" Bella asked.

Jacob gave her the stinkeye and hopped back on his bike. Gravel shot up from the tires as he sped off. He knew it was a mean thing to do, Bella's truck didn't piss him off, but he wasn't feeling exactly rational right now. Something deep inside him pulled him back to his house and a strange young man with eyes like summer leaves, but his confused brain told it to piss off and he point the bike toward Sam and Emily's place.

Emily answered when Jacob knocked. She took in his expression and felt the tension rolling off him.

"Sam's not here right now," she said quietly, not wanting to provoke the Alpha.

"I know," Jacob said, "I just… I don't want to go home. Can I stay here tonight?"

Emily hesitated, looking at Jacob again. There was something else in his eyes, like he was fighting the wolf, or himself. Whatever drove him away from home must be drastic for him to come here. She found herself unwilling to turn him away.

"Sure," she said, opening the door wider, "I'll tell Sam to pick up some more steaks."

"Thanks, I really appreciate this." Jacob said.

"Anytime," Emily said.