Chapter 13 - Claws
"Uh, sorry to interrupt."
Jacob straightened to his full height, releasing Bella from his grasp as though her touch had burned him. He stared at Matt as though he was the enemy. Bella stood between them like a deer caught in the headlights.
Matt stepped forward, extending out his hand in greeting. "You must be Jacob Black. Bella's told me a lot about you."
Jacob pointedly ignored it.
"Nice to meet you." Thought there was no friendliness discernible in his voice. Only the hard, even mask that Sam Uley once wore. "Excuse me. I'm going to get back to the game."
Bella watched him go, fingers tracing over her lips, instantly feeling a coldness she had long forgotten about until the moment Jacob had wrapped his arms around hers.
Grabbing her by the elbow, Matt's eyes were wide when he leaned down whispering in her ear. "What the hell was that all about?"
"I don't know. Just... I need a minute. Go in there and play nice," she begged.
After he walked away, Bella leaned against the counter, her breathing ragged, heart pounding wildly. What just happened? Oh, god, what was I thinking? But, she knew the answer. She wasn't thinking. Just like in the past, the second she stepped into Jacob's arms, every worry, each concern that nagged at her, melted away with his warmth and love. Still, she had to wonder what he was doing there. Why now? Why today? Why not a week ago when I really needed you? Because in all honesty, that was what she was really mad about. Jacob wasn't there for her when she needed him the most. Six years later and she still depended on him to hold her up in times of trouble.
After regaining her composure, Bella entered the living room, quickly glancing around as if surveying her options. Billy and Charlie's eyes were glued to the TV. Matt's gaze was on the TV, shifting every so often to Jacob while he watched her intently, unblinking and unapologetic.
Bella took no seat, unsure of where to go and what to do. "So, anyone need anything? Beer, pizza, anything at all?" she asked, amazed that she sounded perfectly normal.
Charlie didn't even look up, just nodded his head while watching the quarterback pitch the ball down the field. "Pizza would be great, Bells."
"I'll order it." Much to her chagrin, Jacob stood, brushing past her purposefully on the way to the kitchen, a pointed look on his face. He wanted her to follow him.
"You Okay?" Matt mouthed the words soundlessly to her.
She nodded once, then turned on her heel to face down the past.
Jacob was hanging up with the delivery place just as she strode into the kitchen. Bella busied herself by pulling glasses down from the cupboard, standing on tiptoe to reach what she needed. One long arm darted out in front of her, snatching the tumbler from her hands. She whirled around, only to find herself effectively trapped by a wolf again for the second time in a week.
Jacob's hands pressed against the counter on either side of her. There was a predatory look on his face when he leaned forward, running his nose along the column of her neck, breathing in her scent.
Again she felt the pull- the need to climb right into his skin- wash over her.
"Who is he?"
Bella couldn't think beyond what was happening right now. As if she were drugged, high on Jacob Black. "Who?" she asked stupidly.
Jacob's lip curled up in a twisted grin. "Get rid of him, Bella. Right now, before I do."
That snapped her out of the daze she was in. Suddenly she was confused, angry at both him and herself. "What? Matt? No, why?"
He said nothing, just stood in front of her, staring her down as if by doing so he could dominate and bend her to his will.
"What exactly are you doing here, Jacob? I haven't heard from you once and you show up here today and you're not even talking to me?"
The quiet growl which emanated from deep inside his chest should have left her shaking with fear but even in that second, when he looked completely wild, she knew he'd never hurt her.
"You didn't give me a choice. I told you to come to me."
Bella's eyes flew open wide in shock. It was real. All of it.
"I'm stronger now. You belong with me." Jacob's lips began to trail against her jaw, the warmth of his breath tickling her cheek when he whispered low in her ear. "Get rid of him, Bella. The wolf doesn't want him here. I don't want him here."
"Well, that's just too bad for both of you." Bella ducked beneath his arms and strode out into the living room definitely. Jacob followed behind seating himself in the armchair and began watching the football game as though his life depended on it.
Bella didn't know where to go or what to do. For the next fifteen minutes she shifted around uncomfortably, eyes glued to the television screen but unable to focus on anything save Jacob's domineering presence in the room. The sick part of her liked it and she hated herself for it.
The sound of a howl outside made Jacob uneasy. He excused himself politely, shooting a knowing look at Billy. A few seconds later Bella glimpsed him out the window, striding toward the trees, muscles flexed, peeling the shirt from his body.
Billy saw her watching. He'd warned Jacob that he shouldn't come today. It wasn't the time or the place, but his son listened to nobody anymore. "Bella, do you have any orange juice? I think I need a little sugar."
"Sure, I'll get you some." Bella jumped up from the sofa as though her ass were on fire, grateful to have something to do.
"Everything alright, Bill?" Charlie looked at him a little concerned. Billy's diabetes had advanced over the last couple of years and the doctors warned him time and again to watch his blood levels.
"Yeah, you bet," he assured him. "Just starting to feel it. I'll follow Bella into the kitchen and sit there until it passes."
By the time she had a small glass of juice poured out, Billy had wheeled himself into the kitchen and motioned for her to join him at the table.
"You alright?" he asked, covering her hand with his.
She snatched it away angrily, sick of feeling like she was an outsider. It was as if everyone around her was having a conversation she was not a part of. "What in God's name is going on Billy?"
The old man sighed heavily, not sure how to approach the subject with her. Technically, she had no ties to the pack, but this young woman was ingrained deeply into his son's heart. More than any imprint ever could be. "Bella... you need to understand, things are different now."
"Apparently."
"Are you dating Matt?" Billy asked quietly as though he feared the answer she might give.
"I don't think that's any of your business, Billy," she snapped. It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but she was steamed and not willing to give him or anyone else the satisfaction.
"Bella, it's all of our business. This thing between you and Jake..."
"Billy, let's get something straight, right here, right now. I haven't seen Jacob in six years. We've barely communicated. Half of the letters I sent him went unanswered. In fact, I haven't heard a single word from him in two years. There is nothing between me and Jake." Liar. Even as the words tumbled from her mouth, she knew she was wrong. Dead wrong.
"You sure about that?"
Quite suddenly it was apparent to her. The double meaning behind the words clear as day. Billy knew everything. "I want to know what's going on and I want to know right now!" she insisted.
He only shook his head apologetically. "I can't tell you that Bella. It's not my place."
Tears glittered in her eyes mixed with fear of the unknown. The supernatural world once again had her by the throat and it had been so long since she'd had to deal with it that she was unsure of what to do. "Billy, I've been having dreams." Bella begged him with her eyes, hoping to see the truth, but he betrayed no secrets.
"You and Jacob belong together," he assured, patting her shoulder gently. "Don't ever doubt it. Now, I'm gonna get back to watching the Seahawks before Charlie thinks I've gone into diabetic shock." As he was wheeling away, Billy glanced over his shoulder. "Oh and Bella? Get rid of him."
Jacob slipped back inside just as the pizzas were being delivered. She had hoped that he'd be gone longer, that whatever pack problem was happening would buy her some time to think. Damn wolf. Probably smelled the delivery car six miles away.
Not a hair was out of place, but when Jacob brushed past her, Bella could almost taste the forest on his skin. "I told you to get rid of him."
"I don't know who you think you are to tell me anything. I haven't seen or talked to you in years and you come over here acting like a caveman! If that's how you want to be, get your furry ass out of here and leave me alone." Even as the words spilled from her mouth, Bella internally kicked herself. Without having realized it, she looked everywhere but his eyes, slumping her shoulders. A sign of weakness to a wolf. An act of submission.
Jacob noticed.
"Looks like you grew some claws while you were away, kitty. Be careful. Mine are sharper."
"Is that a threat?"
"That depends. Consider this your second warning. Get rid of Matt before I do." Acting like he owned the place, Jacob snatched one of the pizza boxes from her hands, sniffed it and then strode into the living room.
Bella's nerves were officially fried.
Just as she had set the food down on the coffee table, the doorbell rang again. Not expecting anyone, Charlie jumped, knocking over a beer in the process, soaking his sling and the couch cushion until both smelled of a cheap distillery.
Matt hopped up. "I can clean it up."
Bella shook her head sullenly. "No, just... do me a favor. Go upstairs and pull a clean shirt out of his closet." Without thinking of the ramifications, she added, "It's the room across the hall from ours." The look on Jacob's face was murderous.
He followed her out of the living room all but stepping on her heels. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"Our room?" Jacob leaned in close so nobody else could hear. "You're pushing my buttons." Then straightening, he raised his voice so everyone could hear. "You get a towel, I'll get the door."
Bella stared at him through narrowed eyes. "Fine."
From the kitchen she could hear the door open. She all but jumped out of her skin when Jacob practically snarled at the person waiting on the other side.
"What do you want?"
"I'm here to see Bella." Dropping the towel clutched in her hand, she all but ran from the kitchen upon hearing the boyish voice at the door. What in the name of God is he doing here?
"She's busy." Jacob bit out the words as though trying not to phase in front of him.
"I can wait."
When she rounded the corner, sure enough, there stood Mike Newton, smiling like a clown; a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine clutched between his pudgy hands.
Bella squeezed her eyes shut tightly as if she could will away the situation with her mind. Not happening... not happening...
Mike lit up like a christmas tree when he saw her, brushing past Jacob to stand directly between them. "Hey Arizona. Listen, I just wanted to come by and apologize. Lauren was really out of line earlier."
Jacob bristled. "What did she do?"
"Oh, uh, you know her. She was always pretty jealous of Bella. Might have brought your name into it."
Bella looked over Mike's shoulder and into Jacob's hard, glittering eyes. "Yes, she did. Wanted me to tell you hello, Jacob. Seems the relationship the two of you had left quite an impact on her."
"What relationship?"
"Oh, uh, she might have indicated that, uh, you and she, that you, um..." Mike trailed off, stumbling over the words, wearing a smug expression on his face at the same time. He'd been the star before the kids at the reservation hulked out. Mike never understood why the girls were so attracted to them and not him. First Edward Cullen and then Jacob Black. He just knew if he could get Bella to go out with him on one date that she'd see what he'd always known. They were made for each other.
Jacob said nothing, only smirked, leaving Bella to make any assumptions she wanted. He'd never touched that woman. Too bad he couldn't say the same for the rest of the pack. Later, he'd make it abundantly clear to Bella that the only woman he wanted was her.
"Anyhow, these are for you. I didn't realize you'd have company or I would have called first. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow?"
Jacob answered before Bella could pick her jaw up off the floor from Mike's audacity. "She's washing her hair."
"Day after then."
"She's busy."
"Jacob, I can speak for myself." Bella took Mike's proffered offerings with graciousness, setting them on the entry table. "Thank you so much. Truthfully, I'm starting a new job soon and Charlie still needs a lot of help. Today was the first time I've gotten out and I've been here for a week. So, maybe we can postpone it? I'd really like to catch up, but I honestly don't know when I'll be available."
"Sure Bella. I'd really like that. Well, I'll let you get back to your guests." Mike looked at the ground, scuffing his toe against the rug as if waiting to get an invitation to stay.
"Thanks, Mike," she replied sweetly. "Really, we'll get together when things settle down a bit. I'm looking forward to it. Give your parents my best, okay?"
Suddenly Mike threw his arms around her. Bella was painfully aware of one hand resting on the small of her back, fingers of the other playing with the ends of her hair. Mike kissed her on the cheek, then whispered in her ear. "It's a date then. I've really missed you, Bella. I can't wait to give us a chance."
Then he was gone. Off like a shot, hopping into his car, waving like a lovesick schoolboy while Bella stood there dumbfounded.
What. The. Hell.
Her eyes lit on bottle of wine. I need a drink. Bella snatched the bottle, knocking the bouquet of flowers to the floor. Whirling around she ran smack into Jacob's hard chest.
"Got a date for the prom, Bella?" Jacob's words dripped with sarcasm.
"Shut up."
Instead, he followed her into the kitchen, watching every move she made like a hawk. "He's still annoying. I'll get rid of him myself... save you the trouble."
Bella laughed, shaking one trembling finger at him. "I don't think so. I might want to see Mike. Maybe I want to go on a date with him and see what kind of man he's become. At least he seems to be interested in talking to me."
The second she turned her back, Jacob came up behind her, pushing aside her curtain of hair with one blazing warm stroke of his fingertips. "We talk, Bells. All the time. All those nights... are you forgetting? Now, get rid of Matt. Final warning." Then he was gone.
Bella leaned against the refrigerator, then slid down its door. Not happening. Not happening. The unopened bottle of wine was still clutched in her hand. Reaching up, she yanked open a drawer, feeling around until her fingers gripped the opener.
Then she started to drink. No glass. No pretention. Cheap, lousy wine straight out of the bottle.
It burned going down, tasting more like whiskey than wine. Bella gulped it greedily, desperate to steady the quivering of her nerves. Jacob, Matt, Mike... oh god, what the hell is happening? Why me?
As much as she wanted to be angry with Jacob Black, Bella longed to go to him. To slide into his lap and bury her face in his neck. In fact, the drunker she got, the better he looked. The drunker she got, the more she wanted to wrap her legs around his waist and hang on for dear life.
The dreams didn't matter. The invasion of privacy was nothing. Answers would come... eventually... she hoped.
Something was very wrong with Jacob. He's acting more wolf than man. Bella gasped at the sudden revelation. The wolf had taken over, dominating what had once been his warm personality and twisting it into something unrecognizable. Suddenly she began to understand what Billy was trying to tell her. What Embry and Paul had warned her about.
Jacob was the wolf. The wolf was Jacob.
Together they were power.
In the living room she could hear voices. Each one growing louder over the din of the game.
Soon she would have to do something. The entire evening was a recipe for disaster. Jacob was right. One of them would have to go. The only question was who?
Bella gathered what was left of her strength, grabbing the handle of the fridge door to haul herself to her feet. Her mind was fuzzy, the bottle half empty.
She stumbled into the living room, glanced at Matt, then looked directly at Jacob. A plan formed in her mind. A stupid, thoughtless last second plan that could spell her doom.
"Hey Matt, we should go apartment hunting this week."
That statement proved to be the final straw. Jacob leapt from his seat, shaking in anger. He grabbed Bella by the hand, dragged her by the door only pausing long enough to grab her jacket.
"Where are we going?"
"Out." Then he called through the house. "Charlie, Bella and I are going to take off for a few."
Jacob led her unceremoniously through the door, strode over to a monster of a motorcycle and swung a leg over it.
"Get on," he demanded.
"No."
He was deaf to her refusal, sick of her stubbornness. The wolf would not settle for less than her ultimate submission and he wanted it now. Jacob Black had no control. "Get on the bike, Bella."
"No." Bella dug in her heels, decidedly not going anywhere with him tonight, but Jacob was not above playing dirty. It was a game he'd mastered long ago.
"Get on now or I'll go back in and show your buddy my furry side."
When the roar of the engine died down, Matt saw the grins stretched out over Billy and Charlie's faces. They matched the one on his own.
You all were so freaking awesome with reviews! A little more convincing and I might just post the next chapter tomorrow... Two Words... Motorcycle Sex.