*A/N: You guys are awesome. Thanks for the new reviews and alerts. Please give me more.

As promised, I am posting on time. I hope this makes up for my previously short chapter, but it was worth the wait. My headache seriously had a mind of its own. It might have been nerves about returning to work after such a great & productive writing weekend. I have some excellent chapter outlines worked out for you guys. Just keep reading, reviewing, & alerting and you'll have them.

JoinTeamJacob continued to be my inspiration for this chapter. She's so nice to me. :-) She hasn't freaked out from all the times I've thanked her so far.

And my best friend, Eric, should be mentioned though he's mad at me for bailing out on him early this past weekend. Eric, you can keep hating me if you like, but remember that hate is a passionate emotion too. (Yeah, Jacob said that too). Eric hates when I quote Jacob, but that's just too damn bad.

Thanks to my Dad too. It's still Father's Day, in my eyes.

I threw out my rule on for "one song, one artist." I upped it to 2x. So I may now use an artist twice. I'm tired of following the rules-that's what my job is for. Jacob & I are free spirits. Plus the song fits, so it would actually be more of a crime if I didn't use the artist with the better song. Thanks for understanding. I know you don't care though. Sorry, I'll cut this author's note short. Believe it or not, I'm actually quite quiet in real life. I am a big texter though.

Chapter (4) Summary: Jacob has lost control and now seeks out to hurt one of the few people that cares and loves him. Will this self-destructive path lead him closer to finding himself or push him further away from the one thing he truly wants in his life? Bella. What has happened between them anyway? Why does she not wish for more with our favorite wolf, Jacob? Jacob's unlikely ally is trying to do the best he can to help, but he also wonders if he is strong enough to lead Jacob and the other members of the pack against an even bigger threat in Forks.

*Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, but my love and appreciation for SM and TL for bringing Jacob to life is no mistake.

Chapter IV Title: 'Simplest Mistake,' by Seether

(Still JPOV)

Billy, my father, backed up nervously. He was starting to become afraid. Afraid of what? His own son? His own flesh and blood? Why was he suddenly gawking at me as if I had become a monster? "Jacob," his voice shook. I started to gloat internally. Good. I wanted him to fear me. He needed to fear me. "You need to calm down. Did you talk to Sam?"

Sam? Sam? I lost it.

A sudden shriek erupted and knocked out my hearing temporarily. My father put his hands over his ears and his chair rolled back from the kitchen, landing him in the small living room. The noise kept echoing through the house as my skin blistered and tore from my body. It was excruciating. Tears left my eyes as I began to feel like I was on fire.

I remembered every single unpleasant event that had ever happened to me. The first time I ever stubbed my toe. The day I fell out of a tree after a dare from Quil and Embry. The loneliness and abandonment I endured after my mom died in a car accident. Although I love my father, I remembered the angst I felt when I realized that I was left behind to take care him all by myself when my sisters, Rachel and Rebecca, went off to college, making it clear they didn't intend to ever come back. And finally, I thought about the guilt I felt that I couldn't stop myself from leaving Bella with that jerk, Newton, from her school.

I hadn't even been able to keep Bella from thinking about that Cullen kid as often as I liked. Cullen. I realized I hated him too. I hated that horrible, sweet, and sickly smell that permeated my nose every time he was close to her, and every time he was close to me. I hated the way his eyes searched mine, as if he could read all my thoughts and facial expressions. Those Cullens. Those filthy Cullens. They had broken my Bella. They broke her and left her almost unfixable. No one could fix her except me. No one could be with her except me. My hatred burned, finally erupting from my chest.

The noise was still there. I still heard it screaming. It wanted me. The pain and the shouts were warnings that an entity was fighting over who would keep what was left of my sanity. Who would stop the screams? Who would stop the pain? Could they cancel each other out? Why did everything still hurt?

I clawed at my chest while the house continued to shake. I felt and heard paper ripping in my hands. I briefly wondered where all this garbage was coming from. My throat was dry and I attempted to swallow when the sounds suddenly stopped. My hearing was restored.

Billy uncovered his ears and looked at me in amazement. Why had the screaming stopped?...Was that screaming from me?

The fire continued to burn every surface of my body. I couldn't take it anymore. I was sure I would start screaming again. I was sure the prior noise that had assaulted my ears would be back to claim me. That could not have been me screaming. It just couldn't be. I had to get the fire out. I had to stop the burning. Where was all the paper I had? Maybe I could smolder it out with the paper debris in my hands. I looked down and saw that my hands were red. Red paper? What the—? It hadn't been paper. It was my skin. And it wasn't hands holding onto "paper" anymore. They were paws.

Dad? A yelp escaped my mouth. I tried to talk and couldn't. I wasn't breathing right. I wasn't feeling right. And the fire continued to burn my flesh. I cried out again and this time a low howl broke through my lips. I shook out of fear and took a step forward only to fall over. My new hands and feet preferred to walk on all fours.

So be it.

I felt more of my skin tear as my muscles stretched, enabling me to take a step closer to my bewildered father who still hadn't said anything. He looked less like himself and more scared than I had ever seen him. What? Scared of what? Of me? Hadn't he been joyous a moment ago? Hadn't he felt that it was all in my head? Hadn't he thought it trivial nonsense that I was so angry over losing Bella to the "marshmallow king?" A soft, squishy, and pale-faced boy? That's right, a boy. My father had no right to be scared. He was still human. Nothing was wrong with him.

My resentment grew. I couldn't stand being so different. I couldn't stand not having a normal life. I was stuck on the reservation. I was stuck caring for my poor, sick father. I was stuck without Bella.

You did this! I turned to my attention to the shrunken man by the wall. God-damnit, you did this to me! My shaky paw wouldn't keep still as I raised it toward my father in sheer loathing and discontentment. He had to have known. He had to know that this would be my life. He had to know that he had cost me Bella. Who would want me now? Bella couldn't possibly love me now!

My teeth begun to peek from the corners of my mouth as I closed the distance between my father and myself. He had nowhere to go now. He was mine. He was going to learn what he had cost me.

Jacob! Jacob, no! Stop! A voice commanded.

My mouth fell open but was unable to do much else. A low snarl echoed from my upper chest. I knew that voice. I recognized that voice. Was that the voice from my dream?

Yes, Jacob. Now calm down and step away from Billy. You might hurt him. The voice would not let up. It was strong. Stronger than even my own thoughts and desires.

Hurt him? I shuddered. Hurt him, will I? I am going to tear into him! I am going to tell him that he had cost me—

He didn't cost you anything! The voice boomed. Step away from him! You're not in control of yourself. You love your father. You'd be heartbroken if something happened to him. Now get away from him! Don't make me issue an order!

My jaw dropped as my next thought came…Sam? Clarity ruptured my yowling at my now shaken father.

"Jacob, it's okay. It's okay, son." Billy found the courage to speak. As my blood lust diminished, my eyes teared.

I was going to hurt him. I was really going to hurt him. Oh God. The words choked in my throat.

Sam's voice turned soothing. I almost got upset again. Yes, you were. Now leave the house carefully. You don't want to put another hole in the ceiling.

Huh? I looked up and saw that there were indeed several cracks from a head-shaped hole. Part of the end looked like a long snout. A snout? Oh God, what the hell am I?

I'll tell you what you are, pup. Another voice chimed in. This one was less friendly. And this one I definitely knew right away. You're god-damn one of us now.

A whimper escaped me. Paul? What the—

Me too, Jake, came another voice. This voice was almost as dear to me as Bella and Billy's.

Embry? Wait, what's going on—

You ask too many questions. Damn! And you're supposed to lead us? Doesn't seem very likely. Paul's voice quipped. Hey Jared, you owe me money. Jakey-poo should be going into shock any minute. I don't think his poor, sensitive heart can wrap his head around this—

That's enough, Paul. Sam's authority reigned supreme. If I remember correctly, it took you almost six months to be able to control yourself long enough for the phase to even happen at will.

Yeah, and you're still learning! What a hothead, Embry snickered.

Everyone on the reservation knew that Paul was the resident hothead, but the part that got me shaking again was that I heard Embry say it. Clear as day. It seemed like he was right here talking in the house with me just as if we were still human. Just as if we were still friends.

I'm still your friend, Jacob, I heard Embry whine.

Whoa. You can hear me without talking? I freaked. Sam, you guys you have to help me stop this—

There's no stopping it, Jacob, Sam interrupted. It's who you are. You were born this way. We were all born this way. Now get out of that house. I can still smell the fear on Billy.

I had forgotten about my silent father. I whined in his direction and he finally seemed to understand after a few careful seconds. He moved slowly and carefully towards the kitchen door and opened it. I barked what I hope was a "thanks" in appreciation and squeezed through the door. A few wood splinters were caught in my fur, but I'd pick them out later. Fur? Oh no. I was saying "fur" like it was normal. I was saying "fur" as if it were okay to have on your human body. What was I going to do? Did I have to stay this way? And for how long? Could I really expect to see Bella like this? Would I ever get to touch Bella with my human hands again? I couldn't really see her being okay with giving a hug to a big, dumb, furry animal.

A few trots past my house and I saw four other wolves, the black one clearly the leader. The other three stood proud, but looked a little lost. The silver one cocked its head to the side as if still trying to identify just whose side I was on. The brown one seemed placid and happy to have me and the stringy grey wolf seemed ecstatic, his tail wagged enthusiastically. The big, black wolf just stared while balancing himself evenly on his four paws. Was that Sam, perhaps?

Jacob! Embry, the grey wolf, bounded towards me.

Aawww. The silver and brown wolf snickered. They're so cute.

I regarded Embry warmly, but was still nervous. If I had been ready to tear into Billy, my own father, there was no telling what I would do to a friend.

You can't hurt me, Jake. Not really, Embry interrupted. We heal pretty quick. It's really awesome. If you break my leg or something while we're play-fighting it'll be healed in like a day. Right, Paul? Paul already broke his hind leg twice trying to out run me and he couldn't do it. He even tried to cheat, but Jared caught him with his amazing sight—

That's enough, Mr. Rogers. Not everyone wants to be neighbors just yet. Let's find Jacob his "security blanket" before you go telling him all the secrets we have, Paul scoffed. Now I knew which wolf to attack first. The silver wolf, it is.

A growl left my lips. I was getting annoyed with Paul picking fights with me. I wouldn't miss Paul so much if I was to rid our small "gathering" of his presence. Sam could consider it a service, if he liked.

Yeah? Bring it on, bitch, Paul taunted.

I snarled and turned defensive. My paw slipped in front to give me leverage for a better jump when the black wolf stepped in between us. Stop. Sam's tone was final. We don't have time for this. Jacob, there's something you need to know. Now that you know what you are and what we are-

Do I really? I interrupted. I shook my head, feeling my ears slap just below my eyes. This was going to take some getting use to. What are we, Sam?

We're wolves, you idiot, Paul proclaimed.

Not just any wolves, I heard Jared's voice for the first time. We're werewolves. We run this town.

Embry was determined to not be left out, but his small murmured tone was barely heard over Paul and Jared's heavy voices. Well, actually we just run our land, he admitted timidly.

We don't run anything, Sam sounded annoyed. We protect our land. Jacob, you should be made aware that our legends are true. The "cold ones" exist and they are the reason we are the way we are. The Cullens were vampires.

I stood up, almost on my hind legs. First a Cullen had destroyed my Bella and now this? So it's their fault? It's the Cullens' fault? Those cruel, undead, blood-sucking—

They're not the problem. There are others. Sam's voice was low, but he might as well have been screaming in my face. My instincts turned from angered concern to fear for the one person I could not seem to protect until the damage had already been done. One in particular, a redhead, keeps dancing along the border, but we haven't been able to pinpoint her yet. We don't know why she keeps coming back or what she's after.

My eyes closed as I breathed her name in my new form. Bella.

Embry yowled. Your Bella is a "vampire girl." She knew already.

She's not one of them, Sam interrupted. And she's safe, but you can't see her. Not now.

My anger returned. Why not? I have to warn her! I have to tell her—

Someone made "kissy" noises somewhere behind Sam. I assumed it was Paul. My assumption was good enough for my reasoning. My teeth bared themselves once more towards my foe.

Your brother is NOT your enemy no matter how much he taunts you! You will not attack each other! Don't make me "heel" you, Sam growled.

Paul yawned, but said nothing more and I lowered myself to the ground. I wasn't being submissive. I was just completely drained. I couldn't have Bella. Now I wouldn't be able see her. Next, Sam would tell that I couldn't protect her from the vampires.

Yes, you can. But you must stay away from her for her own safety, Sam pleaded.

My muzzle shook. No, you're wrong. I'd never hurt Bella. I couldn't.

What were you about to do to Billy? What would have happened at the carnival if you hadn't gotten control of yourself?

I said (and thought) nothing. Sam was right. I couldn't be responsible for what I might do to Bella. For what might have happened if Bella hadn't been able to calm me down. Her soft skin. Her strawberry-scented hair. Her red, flushed cheeks—

*Gag* Paul interrupted my thoughts. I didn't bother baring my teeth. I was too ashamed at my lack of control.

I resisted again. Life was too dark without Bella. I had to know if she was all right. At all costs.

No. Sam's voice rang in my ears. You need to see this. My eyes closed willingly as I saw a small house and more trees. I smelled the start of the early morning. I heard Sam's fiancée, Emily calling me "Sam." Wait-Sam? My mind didn't linger on the thought as I felt thrown forward without moving. I saw the shaking, similar to what I had just done in the kitchen in front of Billy. Emily was yelling. I was yelling back. I couldn't stop. I couldn't slow down. She had to move. She had to move away from me. Didn't she know I'd hurt her? Didn't she know how dangerous I was?

My hand jerked towards Emily in an attempt to push her away, but my hand changed too quickly. I wanted to reach out and touch her face, to apologize before my anger got the best of me; however, my paw didn't have the dexterity. It lacked the "human touch" and instead it marred Emily's human face. My love's life (and mine) had changed instantly in that one moment. That second I had forgotten myself. That time I had lost my human instincts and turned into the monster I had always feared I was. I had hurt my Emily. I had scarred my life.

My eyes burned with tears as I cowered in a neighbor's yard. I was still shaking, though I had long since changed into this beast. This unfit desecration that had put its hands (paws) on the woman I loved and had hurt her. I bore witness to my cruel mistake every day. Every morning I loved her even more because she chose to wake up next to me and every night I made love to her to thank her for existing. No one had ever been more important. No one had ever loved me as she did. But I was still the brute that had done that to her face.

Sam? What just happened? I looked at him. I didn't dare make a sound. I even tried to stop breathing.

Sam turned over a nearby rock. I hurt Emily. Badly. And I'll never be able to forgive myself even though she has forgiven me.

But, everyone said it was a bear that—

We lied. Sam looked ashamed and angry. No one knows about us except the tribal leaders. The rest of the reservation sleeps on peacefully while we look for leeches. It's the leeches' fault. They made us these things. They forced us to protect our own lands because they could never really be trusted. Our ancestors played their part by making a treaty with them and we do our best to uphold it, but now the Cullens are gone. This is our land again.

This was the first time I'd seen him become really angry. Sam really seemed to dislike the Cullens as much as I did.

We have much to tell you, but you must promise not to see Bella. Sam faced me, knowing that I would listen. Not now, anyway. I don't want to order you to stay away from her, but I will if I have to. We can't risk you hurting her. You can't risk hurting her.

My heart felt torn from my chest, but I carefully nodded. I felt just as constrained and pressed as I had when I had successfully ripped out of my skin just a half hour ago. The screams that had bled my ears dry did not afford the same luxury to my eyes; I cried more tears than I had spilled in childhood and the earth that I felt through my newly formed paws provided my waterworks with a home.

But I did not feel ashamed. This was my pack and this was where I now belonged. The shame that I felt for breaking my promise to Bella, to never hurt her or leave her, would have to wait. It would be nothing compared to defeat and guilt I would feel if I or one of those parasites were to harm a hair on my Bella's head. I had to do this for her. I had to protect her this way.

Embry bumped me with his nose. Yuck. It was wet.

Now, Sam began, when you phase back-you will need a haircut.

A/N: Tell me what you think & leave plenty of reviews/alerts. They're addictive. Please, please, please? I ask so nicely.

And don't forget about TL on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight. I know that if I actually didn't have a blog alert on TL, I might have missed it. No one should have to miss a chance at seeing TL.

Next week TL is the host on a rerun of SNL (Sat, 6/26), he's on the Today's show (Mon, 6/28), Regis & Kelly (Mon, 6/28), and there's a Twi-special on Eclipse Wed (6/30), but that last one doesn't really matter because we will all be there in the movies to support Team Jacob when Eclipse opens at midnight. Who-hoo! And you guys have no excuse to miss any of the shows because I gave you guys dates to look them up. You have been warned.

Thank me by leaving reviews, please. I'll always add 'please.'