*A/N: Happy Father's Day! Sorry it took me a week, but I'll post twice this week to make up for it. I'm fighting off a massive headache right now to put this up. But I feel horrible that this chapter is short, but it's necessary to keep it this way. I changed the title. So for those who have been reading since I first started this fan fic (this is my first, by the way), this story was entitled "The Phase after the New Moon," but Jacob always hated the title. He said it was too generic. So my best friend, Jacob, & I came up with a new one.

Eric, I give you credit for this new title, sweetie. May we continue to bang our heads to Seether in future afternoons.

I'd like to thank my Betas and I'd also like to specially thank JoinTeamJacob for her insight into Jacob's mind. Anytime I even hesitate as to what Jacob is feeling, she always shows me the way. Thanks J.

I knew I had to get something up today to celebrate all the fathers out there. I miss mine everyday.

Read & review. Maybe if I get enough, I'll work through my headache to put up the next chapter. Eh kidding (sort of). I just really hope everyone likes it. Since this is my first fan fic, I sometimes get discouraged and I think that people don't like it. Prove me wrong. :-)

If I missed any grammar, despite my betas corrections, sorry. I'm seeing almost double right now.

Chapter (3&4) Summary: Jacob feels hopeless over his situation. He feels that Bella and he may never be more than friends. Her unwillingness to yet let go of her previous relationship keeps his heart in constant turmoil, but he is unable to give up quite so easily. Jacob's irrational temper is also building up and he is starting to lose control over his very thoughts. When Jacob is given favor and help from an unlikely ally, he sees the importance of his tribes' stories, his ancestry, and the reason why Bella is having such a hard time of letting her past go.

*Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, but Taylor Lautner and Jacob Black take turns washing my car every weekend with their shirts off. Now that's a gift! LOL

Chapter III Title: 'The Gift,' by Seether

(APOV) Author's Point of View

The loud rumbling of a motorcycle brought the sleepy-eyed monster back to his attentive post. It had been a long day and it was sure to be an even longer night if this indeed was the time "it" to was supposed to happen. His dark silver fur shook with minimal girth as he slowly rose to his feet from his light slumber. He was sure that he would hear it from his friend.

You fell asleep? You're supposed to be watching—

A yowl echoed from the silvery haired beast's mouth in an attempt to block out the other's chastising. I'm sorry. He hoped he looked apologetic enough but one look from the other told him that his face wasn't "sorry" enough. It was a long night.

The other voice continued to sound annoyed. What if something had happened while you were sleeping off last night's binge?

It wasn't a binge. He defended. And Charlotte was pretty hot.

The silver guard stuck his left paw out tentatively to feel the earth between his toes. His face wore a sudden scowl (if he had to pick a face) over the human shadow that had walked unsteadily towards a wood-paneled dwelling. He would have thought that the figure was drunk or else really tired because he swayed with little grace, even less certainty, and held onto his lower gut with urgency. It almost looked like he was going to fall right off his bike.

How did the kid even make home? The creature let loose a surprisingly human sound, somewhere between a hearty laugh and a muffled fit when the man-child stumbled up the three stairs into his home. He had almost tripped over his large feet. Nice one, brat, the lookout thought nastily. Too bad you didn't actually fall all the way.

That's our brother! A grey flash was immediately by the other's side and his muzzle snapped unappreciatively at his present company. He was new. He even had sporadic white spots on his brown back to distinguish between the older monster and the new.

The silver one took offense. Well excuse me. I didn't know you wanted to marry the dude. Why don't we just set you guys up today since it looks like he'll be turning soon? The little mangy—

Knock it off! A new voice cried out in a bark. Both of you!

The two shook at the newest voice. The very ground began to quake under his sturdy paws as he made himself known to the two bickering acquaintances. Their ears automatically pinned to the sides of their heads in complete obedience when the biggest animal turned his head towards the residence of their newest interest.

We're watching! We're watching! A low whine escaped from the light grey's mouth.

Not well enough. He'll need us close to him when it happens.

You mean "if"' it happens, the silver beast maliciously thought.

The grey one argued. Did you see him tonight? Trust me, it's not "if" anymore. It's when.

His companion stubbornly shook its head, refusing to believe that soon he would have to share his wonderful gift, his proud heritage—

It's his heritage as well. You'd do well to remember that. You're still learning yourself. Gold eyes pierced into the lowly animal as he was stared back into better thoughts.

Can't we let him know now, already? I mean, we all know now that it's going to happen—

A low, threatening growl erupted from the two eldest and the young grey one's ears went low again. His back arched in modest fear, but the twin simultaneous warnings disappeared almost as soon as they had appeared.

No. We do not tell him yet. I know it's been difficult, but we must think about what's best for everyone at this point. Even with his monstrous black mane, he still seemed to have shrunken a little in size with his next thought. The Alpha was almost ashamed of feeling inadequate. He may even prove different from all of us. It is his rightful place—

You're in the right place! The silver creature barked at his master. The silver creature barked at his master, baring his teeth at the thought of someone they didn't know leading them, someone he didn't trust or even feel was a right for them. He's a child. You are our leader!

Not for much longer. Come. We'll stay close. There's nothing we can do until he's ready to join us. He slowly began to turn, expecting that the two smaller ones would follow without hesitation.

The silver one's eyes dulled, but the timing of the imminent encounter that was certain to come was still there. You're the boss, Alpha was the next thought that followed after he fell in line, to his rightful place.

All of us should be here when it happens. We must go get your last brother became the last calm order given.

Chaos would ensue the rest of the night.

(JPOV)

What the hell just happened?

My stomach rumbled without being hungry. My muscles ached without being worked out. I hadn't even been jogging on the beach in days. Everything was about Bella. My wants, my needs, my hopes, and my fears; I screamed Bella, Bella, and Bella. The pain in my eyes was becoming unbearable. I had been certain that I would crash on my bike coming home from the carnival, but I had been too scared. Too scared to wander off the road. Too scared to fall in the road. What would have happened to Bella? How would she have survived if she lost me to a motorcycle accident?

You're not dating her, you idiot. She's only your friend.

"For now," I said out loud. "Did you see the way she looked at me tonight? The way she clung to me? The way we had almost kissed?" Almost?

My fingers curled into balls and I heard a distinct tear in my brand new dress shirt. I had just bought the damn thing for this occasion. This particular special occasion! I had been planning to ask Bella out. I was going to tell her that ever since she had come here to live in Forks she had been the only girl on my mind. Every time. Every thought. How much I wanted to make her happy. How much I hated that she had seemed so broken over that Cullen guy leaving—

But I fixed her.

I smiled. Yes. She wasn't a car or a possession, but she was certainly my prize. And I wanted to win my prize. I had kept quiet. I had stayed in the "friend corner" with no ill will, but I knew she had feelings for me. I knew she cared about me. Why shouldn't she? Sure, there was an age difference but it was still an easy choice: being with me would be like completing herself. It would have been a tragedy for us not to be together at this point. She could be herself around me and I could be with her, period. That's how it was supposed to be. That's how I wanted it to be. Until—

"Newton." That Newton guy came after the Cullen kid. I hated that he had interrupted us. Our kiss. Our perfect kiss that would have sealed our fate. My hair became knotted as I began to sweat, trying to keep my anger in check lest I break something. Something that actually meant something. I tried breathing deeply through my nose, but this did nothing to calm me down. I had to keep myself under control. I had to keep myself calm. Bella would hate to have something happen to me. Not now. Not when things were so good. Not when things were so good for us.

"Son? Jake, you in there?"

I heard my father's chair across the house. Odd. Why can I hear him as if he's in the same room? A loud crash happened and I winced. It sounded close. It sounded like the window behind me broke. I turned around and saw no glass on the floor or counter. He must have bumped his chair into something. I told him about that. I told him a million times to be careful since I was the one who always had to clean. My hands and fingers resumed their previous position, tight and in fists. I shook.

What's happening? Why am I so mad?

"Jake?"

I forgot to answer him. "Dad?" It wasn't supposed to be a question, but my voice broke with that one word. It sounded mumbled and full of fear. Why was I scared? I hadn't done anything. Except I had not been able to kiss the girl of my dreams and then left her alone with that hand grubbing, spoiled, and childish son of a—

"Jake? What's going on? Why didn't you answer me?" My father's chair rolled into my view.

His response took me by surprise. I had answered him. He was just too old to have heard it correctly. And if I put him in a home that'd be wrong of me, right? I should go. I need to be outside in the air. No! I should sleep. Sleep is better. No, wait! Bella is supposed to call when she gets home. I need to know she's all right. That Newton kid won't know what hit him if he even dares to touch Bella.

"Jacob? Are you listening? What's the matter? Why are your fists clenched?" A knowing look came over his face. He almost looked joyous at the fact that I was so angry.

"What the hell are you smiling at? And what the fuck fell over?" I nearly screamed.

His eyes widened in momentary surprise. "I dropped a picture frame by mistake. That was clear on the other side of the house—don't worry, I picked it up." My father's hands reached out slowly. "I think you might need to sit down. You look beat."

I was enraged and shook even more. "Beat? Beat? I didn't do anything! I hung out with Bella and that stupid fuckin'—"

"Jake," my father warned and stretched his hands even further. "Easy. Just take it easy." He was trying to soothe me as if I was a dangerous exotic pet. Like I was a child with a temper tantrum. Like I would become suicidal in the next five freakin' minutes. What was wrong with him? Why is he so calm when I'm so furious?

"Relax? That asshole is with Bella and I had to come early because of a fuckin' tummy ache! Who gets those? A fuckin' tummy ache? I didn't even eat anything! Our ancestors and the great spirits really screwed me tonight—"

My father held out a hand as if that would stop my rant. I did stop talking, but my breathing became so rapid that I could barely hear him even with my sudden "talent" for hearing. "Our ancestors did fine by you tonight. They have helped you in a different way—"

My screams shook the house. "I DON'T WANT A DIFFERENT WAY! TONIGHT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BELLA AND ME! BELLA AND I! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED? What bullshit could they possibly be helping me with? They're dead!"

My father backed up slightly and looked less unafraid. Good. He needed to be scared. He needed to fear me. "Jacob, you need to calm down. Did you talk to Sam?"

I lost it.

A/N: Sorry again. I'll post this upcoming Wednesday. By the way, TL (and the rest of the Eclipse cast) will be on Jimmy Kimmel live this Wednesday coming. Check it out. We all need to support TL/Jacob. Twilight will be finished within a couple more years and some people are convinced he can't act beyond taking his shirt off and looking hot. Let's all prove them wrong and correct. That boy does look great with his shirt off. Boy, man, whatever. He's legal.

Please find it in your heart to review me. Please? :-)

Thanks to all those who have reviewed me in the past. I smiled for hours after each alert.