11. Complications of Separate Packs

Vampires.

The Cullen's I would no longer mind considering how my life was tied to theirs should they ever return but these were different. They had hunted Bella and nearly killed her before I had grown up to do anything about it.

IN the few weeks that I'd broken off from Sam's pack, Embry and I had learned we could no longer hear our brother's thoughts, only each others. As Alpha's, Sam and I could communicate but only the thoughts we wanted to share- kind of like talking aloud. I was grateful that my thoughts were finally my own. With a small pack it made things so much easier.

I pushed my four legs further, faster.

Sam you there, I called out.

I'm here, what do you want Jacob, Sam replied.

I could hear the fury in Sam's tone.

After Embry and I had left Bella to go investigate the vamp stink we had run into Sam and his followers. They were furious that we were on their lands even though we couldn't hear their human words but we could hear it in their growling but it was something they would have to get used to since Sue had become part of the neutral territory.

Our rivalry continued as all five of us were in pursuit of the unknown vampires to the point where Jared shoved Embry and I had been blindsided by Paul. I told Embry to fall back but to keep in pursuit and Sam had clearly ordered his boys off us as they had fallen in line behind him.

We'd followed the vampires to the beach where they were swallowed by a heavy wave in the ocean.

Now I reached out to Sam on my terms.

We've got a lead on those leeches we were after, I answered. I figure if we work this together there won't be any misunderstandings like before. I figure you want them gone as much as we do.

You're right about that.

Good I'll meet you at Billy's in a few minutes.

It didn't' take long to arrive at my old home, making the transition to my human form. It was the one place where I knew I'd be safe. I knew I owned it to my father to see him. I hadn't since moving out but that would have to wait. I had a job to do.

Sam and his boys arrived in human form too. Normally we would have had these meetings out at an abandoned logging facility but that seemed like the perfect place for them to kill me since I was alone.

"So how's life with the pale faces," Paul shot.

He was easy to ignore. "Do you want my information or not?"

"Where's Embry," Sam asked.

"He's not really your business anymore," I replied.

"Guess not. What do you know?"

"Those vampires we were after are here to kill Bella. The Cullen's all ready took care of one of them so they're out for payback."

"Guess we should side with them," Paul said.

I took a step forward, ready to challenge him.

"Paul that's enough!" Sam ordered.

"Look you don't want those bloodsuckers around anymore than we do. I think the best thing to do is team up. We do that then hopefully this problem will be dealt with quicker."

Jared looked at me with disgust. "You want us to forget about our issues with Bella?"

"That's exactly what I want," I replied.

"Well tough," said Paul, "We don't take orders from you."

"No you take them from me," Sam barked. "As it is we can't hurt Bella given that thing inside her that you imprinted on."

I clutched my fists as Sam called Bella's baby, a thing.

"But you still hate her don't you?" I asked.

"I hate what she's done," Sam admitted.

I nodded. It was perfectly understandable that he would hate Bella for her actions. She had slept with a vampire- the very being Sam hated most as it had turned his life upside down. And though he had found his soul mate, the only positive in his life, there was too much damage that could not be undone.

And yet in my case had Bella not slept with Edward, had she just become a vampire the moment James bit her, I never would have found mine.

"Fair enough but Bella's life is still in danger. Are you going to help me or not?"

"You turned your back on us," said Jared, "Why should we help you?"

"Because Bella's life isn't the only one that matters here," I answered, "These vampires aren't like the Cullen's. They will feed on humans. Do you really want to sit by and do nothing?"

Sam turned to his boys. Though we couldn't read minds in human form we had gotten to where we could read each other's facial expressions and body language as good as any behavioral analyst if not better.

After their few minutes of non-verbal communication, Sam turned his focus on me.

"All right we'll work together but I want this clear: we're not doing it for Bella or your imprint. We're doing it for the tribe and for the rest of the people in Forks."

"Dually noted."

"It's brave of you Jacob," said Sam.

"What is?"

"You taking over the Cullen's territory."

"I'm not taking over anything," I corrected. "Bella is carrying the next generation of Cullen's which technically makes the lands hers too. I'm merely protecting their lands until they return."

Paul scoffed, "Yeah like that'll ever happen."

"Regardless," said Sam, "We'll agree that for the time being the Cullen lands are yours. You stick to hunting the vampires there and we'll stick to our side. Only Billy's will be land you can come to."

"Fair enough. Thank you Sam."

The guys left but before I had a chance to go inside and talk to my father I felt the change in the air. For sure the others had felt it too.

I phased into my wolf and made my way to where I felt the transformation occur. Sam would be looking for it too.

The thoughts of the new wolf entered my mind so they had likely entered Sam's as well.

Jake is that you, Quil asked.

Finally a wolf I was familiar with. Quil's great-grandfather had been one of the wolves of the last generation to phase so it was only a matter of time till Quil had phased a long with us.

Yeah Quil, it's me.

Thank god man, thought I was going crazy.

Quil went silent for a moment. He continued to remain silent until I reached him and I understood why. Sam and his pack had beaten me.

Paul and Jared growled at me when I arrived. I couldn't hear what the three of them were saying to Quil and they couldn't hear me.

Jake, asked Quil as he looked at me standing off to the side, What do you think?

I don't know what they're saying to you Quil, half telling him the truth.

While I couldn't make out the pack mind I could hear their words as they entered Quil's thoughts so it was like hearing but in a second wave. Sam was all ready trying to teach Quil about the old ways but he was also ordering him to stay with his pack.

I scoffed a little and then regained my control. But I'll make this simple, I said to Quil. I won't order you to follow me. Do what you want. If you can hear both me and Sam then I'm guessing that means you have a choice.

I looked at Sam's pack one final time and then turned my back on them which was becoming a fairly regular thing and bounded off into the woods.

After a second Quil was following me on my left. We could hear the howls behind us, the anger over Quil's choice so we increased our stride.

He really hates this two separate packs thing doesn't he?

There's a lot he hates right now.

So where are we headed?

Well you can't exactly live with Old Quil anymore. Quileute lands are Sam's territory.

Had I known that I would have stayed with Sam.

You can still go. I don't really give orders unless I have to.

I'm here aren't I? Seriously where're we going?

We're staying with Charlie and Bella. I'm guessing that you've heard the stories around town.

What that she's knocked up?

Yeah that. Well it's a little more complicated than that. She's carrying a vampire baby, two in fact and one of them I imprinted on. You'll get the full story later. Point is we got a new house that's got a lot of space.

We continued on our run and pretty soon we were in the woods a mile behind our house.

Hey look who phased, Embry said coming to meet us. Guess we're even with Sam's pack now: three versus three.

Embry you're part of this? Quil asked as he saw our other best friend.

Yeah imagine that hu? Embry said.

He didn't need to say anything more. There was only one way he could have had the gene and that left three possible as his potential father, my own included.

Where's Bella, I asked concerned for her safety and the babies.

Don't worry they're fine, said Embry, She's inside. Charlie's home. Embry laughed, Man you should have seen the look on his face when Bella told him she was having twins.

We did see it as Embry pulled up the image. He was beyond shocked and looked like he would pass out.

Guess I should get in there and offer moral support. Any sign of dreads or red-head?

Nothing.

You boys up for doing a perimeter run?

You bet, I could stretch my legs a bit, Embry replied.

Good, Quil, Embry will fill you in on everything that's going on.

Sweet, said Embry, Come on newbie I'll race you.

You're on! Quil replied.

I shook my head. The wolf thing had pretty much put a damper on our friendship at the beginning, first when Embry phased and stopped hanging out with Quil and me and then when I phased and we were forced to stop hanging out with Quil. We were lucky though, our friendship continued after the mess of transformation unlike Paul who had cut off all ties with his former friends completely as none of them carried the gene.

Now as wolves our bond would continue to grow stronger. No longer were we just childhood friends, now they were my brothers. I saw that clearly now.

You going soft on us Jake, Quil joked.

Shut up and keep running, I said more as a tease than an order.

I turned to face the cabin. I was five yards from home but could see it perfectly beyond the trees. Taking a running leap I phased human. I reached inside one of the trees we had carved a hole in and took out a pair of cut off jean shorts. Chaffing was no longer an issue either though we kept the occasional boxers and briefs inside our trees too.

It was only a short jog to the house.