6. The Thing I Hated Most for the One That Mattered More

Jacob POV

The boys were no longer in the yard. Clearly Sam wanted to do this in private without my father or Bella looking on from the windows.

Embry was quick to phase and sash into the woods. I looked back at the house to see Bella standing in my room. Let's get this over with. I stripped down, this was one of my few remaining pairs of shorts and I wanted to keep it that way. I leaped forward and let the animal within take over.

Could Bella see this? Could she see the large brown wolf as it made its way into the woods, out of sight?

Jake, Jacob.

Four voices echoed in my head.

I let the forest become a blur not thinking of much else. Instead I forced myself to think of the distain I'd felt earlier.

You were right to say those things to her, said Sam.

But you did a 180 all of a sudden, said Embry. What gives?

Pregnant.

I could hear three times in my head from Sam, Jared, and Paul.

They all withered at the thought but Sam had said it with the most distain.

Gross.

Disgusting.

I think I'm gonna hurl.

Jared began to have fantasies of our snow-crystallized enemies having sex with a human. Everyone recoiled at the images that Jared conjured up. Everyone but me. And Sam took notice but he also had a job to do.

We have to focus, he said. This thing in Bella has to be destroyed.

You risk killing her too! I shouted.

The loss of one human will be tragic, Sam admitted, but its better that one human die than allowing this thing to get the chance to live.

I won't let you! I demanded.

You don't have a choice! Sam barked.

My knees slightly bucked under Sam's Alpha authority.

She's not protected said Jared, it will be easy.

We trick her, said Paul

Take her to the woods, said Sam. Bella's a klutz when it comes to hiking.

We'll say she got lost, said Jared.

Easy cover story, added Paul.

Jake it will be your job to convince her. She trusts you, Sam said.

I could feel the weight of his power crushing down but then I remembered two things that beat to the core of my own foundation, that would end this for good but even if I spoke up would Sam listen? Would the others?

I lifted myself up.

I won't do it, I demanded.

The sound of the Alpha had sounded in my voice. I'd never wanted to be a leader much less in a pack of wolves but that didn't change the birthright I'd been given and I had not been born to follow Sam's lead. He had gotten me through the learning stages and I would be grateful to him for that but now it felt wrong to follow him especially since the thing he wanted to kill was now the very essence of who I was.

What have you done Jacob, Sam asked knowing the undiluted authority that now flowed in me.

You think you know everything but you don't, I said to him.

There can't be separate packs. You think I'm going to step aside while you order them to protect Bella and her spawn?

His words were harsh but I kept my anger in check. We had all seen those National Geographic documentaries. We knew what would happen if two Alpha's got into it.

I don't care what you do or what they do, I said, I'm not ordering anyone.

Then what are you going to do stand between us and Bella? You're one man.

He's not, the silent voice speaking up for the first time. It was Embry. He's two.

Embry stood on my right flank, a position held for the Alpha Second.

Jared and Paul were seething over the fact that Embry had turned his back. Sam growled at them and at Embry. If we weren't careful things could get out of hand pretty quickly.

Like I said you don't know the full story.

Then tell it to us Jacob.

I did so but not because of Sam's order. It was too difficult to explain verbally so I let my memories do the job for me.

The five of us watched as I turned around to face Bella. We watched as my eyes drifted toward her belly.

I could hear Paul and Jared make sickly sounds as if they were disgusted and had never seen a pregnant girl before but this wasn't just any pregnant girl. I let my mind continue. A new wave of images hit as I focused on the belly. The forest shimmered. I saw what her eyes would look like, what she would look like as a child and a grown woman. I saw her through my wolf eyes. Every image I'd had of a child whose name I did not know came to a focal point at Bella's belly down to where I could even see her as a growing fetus in the womb of her mother and my best friend. She was so innocent, so pure, as was the love I now held for her.

No wolf in the history of our tribe had ever imprinted on a child much less on one who was not yet born.

The memories ended. My mind blank.

How the hell is this even possible, Jared asked breaking the silence.

You should have told us earlier, Sam scolded. It would have saved us all this trouble.

No it wouldn't have, I replied. You have your mind made up Sam. You've hated the Cullen's since your first phase, Bella included since she was dating one of them, and more so when you dumped Leah after you imprinted on Emily. Would you have listened?

Sam remained silent, knowing that I was right.

We'll abide by the law but you can't stay here Jacob.

I know. These are your lands, I'll figure something out.

There was nothing left to say. I turned my back and began t run. Though they had understood I could still hear their howls; a mixture of pain as they lost a brother and confusion wondering what had just happened and how something like this could have happened. Sam may have said he would stick to the law but I wasn't going to risk Bella's life or the baby's solely on his words.

The further I ran the more distance it put behind me and the pack. I was a lone wolf without a pack. It made me feel empty inside.

I could hear the thuds of footsteps behind me so I quickened my stride. Maybe Sam had decided to break the law after all. Would make sense on his part since the very being I'd imprinted on was half-vampire.

Hey what am I kibble, asked Embry.

I halted my run as we reached the edge of the woods near my home.

I stand up for you and then you just ditch me, some Alpha.

You didn't have to come you know. Sam's pretty pissed as it is that I broke up the Pack.

You mean his pack.

No I mean the pack.

Really, then if there's not two why can't we hear them? There's no magic in the air, they haven't turned human yet.

Embry was right.

So what the hell are they waiting for?

Probably for you to get your big furry butt out of doge, mine too.

You don't have to come you know.

Embry shrugged. Yeah I know but other than the wolf thing, nothing cool ever happens around here. Plus we've been best friends for how long? I'm not gonna let you do this without me.

I smiled slightly but then the doubt set in. We can't stay here Em. Are you willing to pack up and leave La Push, maybe for good?

Are you kidding, he said with more excitement than I was expecting. My mom all ready thinks I've hit a rebellious stage. Why not see it all the way through.

Or give her a heart attack.

She's strong, she'll be fine. Seriously Jake, let me come.

Alright fine.

Awesome. Just the two of us, the Black Pack how cool does that sound?

Getting on my nerves Em. You're starting to sound like that Clearwater kid.

Sorry. Hey do you think he'll turn?

Let's hope not, anyways he's just a kid. Come on, let's get back to Bella.