A/N: I know it's been two months since the last update, but I hit a major writers block, that and a few things in life that hit me harder than I expected. Trying to get back on track is harder than it seems, but I will try to keep up with updates, that's if you all still want them. I really do miss hearing from my regulars, as well as excited to be hearing from the ones who had just joined. Please continue to review and I promise to continue to update.

D: Disclaimed

Chapter Seventeen

It's that song I kept hearing at the diner. 'I Don't Wanna Fight No More.' The words the woman was singing related to what I was dealing with a lot lately. I know she's speaking to the love of her life, but there also has some retrospect of what me and my family has to face constantly with the vampire society. It seems that we could never catch a break.

Then there's Jacob.

I've realized that I had been pushing him away when I should be embracing him. I don't want to do it anymore. I really don't want to fight anymore. Especially if it reasons Jacob's and my disagreements. I love the man. I used to be afraid to say it because I was sure that this was all a big lie, but now, whatever it may be, it's still meant to be him and me. They call it soul mates for some reason, and I'm not about to let that go.

I think my father finally understands just like everyone else. It took a lot of comparisons to him and my mother, but he finally realized just how much Jacob and I mean to each other. It just took me longer to know it. I'm beginning to think that it was my dad's way of making me realize that before I said yes to anything with Jacob.

I'll be fourteen soon, and most of the pack, from what Jacob has noted, believe that Jacob and I had already done it. Thankfully the topic never comes up with my family, as I'm sure that they probably are curious about it. The fact is, I'm not ready for it, as much as Jacob anticipates it; he still wants to wait for me. Until I know I'm sure and fully comfortable with the next steps.

Lately, ever since news about Nahuel and the pack broke out, Jacob has been more lenient in to listening to how I feel. It's as if he feels that time is limited with me, and it scares him. With him informing the other packs nearby about any suspicious visitors approaching, we all have been on alert lately.

Nights have been spent more at Jacobs rather than mine. I found myself at the Black residence more than I planned. I was there most of the weekdays, and since Rachel had been doing a full-on house-cleaning, I decided that I would help her in anyway possible to occupy myself from the chaos we could possibly face in the future.

As strange as it was for me, Rachel and I have gotten to know each other more and more. Evenings usually involved us being in the kitchen trying out the old recipe book that had belonged to her mother. I still hadn't fully accepted it when she would mention that I was a part of the Black histories too, so anything here was mine just as much as Jacobs. We weren't even married yet, but Rachel was sure that Jacob and I would beat her and Paul to the alter. It was her that popped the question before Jacob and I had considered it.

Because Paul was putting the last of the renovations on his –and soon to be Rachel's- house, Rachel had asked me if I'd be moving here with Jacob anytime soon. Talking about it and actually doing it are two big different things. I couldn't even give Rachel a full answer but a shrug of the shoulders as I tried to change the subject.

Like I said, I'm fourteen. But then, others had seen me as more than that. I'm mature and can pretty much face any predicament I'm put through. Grandpa Charlie was even sure that Jacob and I would –how did he say it?- 'shack up.' It was actually funny thing to hear from him since he was the one that wanted me to stay at the house as long as possible. That was until he told me that at least I'd be closer than Edmonton or Calgary. Other than my mother, I was still his baby in some way. Yes, still awkward in some ways.

With everything going on, I was surprised to find that none of it was made a big deal of. The fact that Nahuel was being held hostage, none seemed to care. Not a single being. Did I feel guilty? Yes, of course, no one deserves that. But to go search for him would be asking for trouble for me. What could I do though?

I was almost tempted to visit my aunt Alice to pick up on her visions to see how Nahuel was doing, but the chance of seeing more than I wanted frightened me. Yet, no word was said or given after the vision. With Jacob's warnings, and a little favor from the Denali coven, the Volturi were silenced. Apparently their knowledge of our whereabouts was no longer their concern. After asking Tanya why, she told my parents that in time I would die too. I'm not entirely immortal, and I will die eventually according to the research they've come across.

Nahuel and I hadn't been the first, and we probably wouldn't be the last. What the Volturi gathered was another young boy, died by the age of three hundred and twelve. He would be considered a man of his eighties. A hybrid that died a lonely man. No threat to mankind really, and just like us, chose to live peacefully amongst our families until our time had come.

Which was beginning to make sense in a way to why Jacob and I would be together. One day we will be able to leave this earth together rather than live for an eternity with him constantly phasing. But, still, what was so special about me? We could come up with theories one after another, but none seemed to have its purpose.

Just to be sure, aunt Alice thought it might be best if we put our wits together once more see what we could find. I was bit nervous to say the least because it frightened me. From what it felt, I was being held hostage just the same as Nahuel was, and I felt helpless. I didn't want to ever experience that again, but unfortunately…

It was the darkness this time.

I lay on the ground, covered with the small blanket around my midsection and crotch. I was naked. Massive arms wrapped around me as they pulled me closer. I couldn't feel much, but the warmth of the body that encased me was noticeable. I could feel the breaths of the man behind me blow against the back of my neck.

As I shuffled, so had he. It frightened me to find that the man was so close to me. I knew it wasn't Jacob, and I knew then that I was experiencing what Nahuel was feeling. I couldn't understand why he was laying next to the enemy. But it seems that he wasn't okay with it either. Whatever actions taking by him, I was doing. I was wriggling myself free from the man's embrace.

Thankfully he rolled over, face still covered by the darkness, but his snores could still be heard. With what I could find, I grabbed the nearest clothing and wrapped it around my waist as I found the exit of what seemed to be a shelter covered with animal hides. I lifted the material where the light had peaked through to find that there was still a campfire lit out in front.

The same man still sat where he had before, a grin on his face as he watched me carefully. I had the urge to cover my body, but it was pointless by now. The woman from before sat in he same spot as well, concerned the moment she laid eyes on me.

"Soon," the man spoke, "you'll find your alpha-mate."

"What makes you think it's me anyways?" Nahuel's voice came from my mouth. "And how can you be so sure that the prophecies are true."

"They probably aren't." The man chuckled darkly, "but if it's you, I guarantee the alpha wont let you free."

"But why make me suffer?"

"Because you need a deadline like the rest of us!" He replied infuriated. "All of you half-bloods need to die sometime too. It's unnatural."

"I can't help that I was born this way."

"No it isn't," he replied annoyed, "but if I can tie you to an alpha, I won't need to kill you."

"What if I already am?"

"Tied to an alpha?" He questioned, "If that were the situation, I'd say we finally found our balance."

Balance.

Aunt Alice mirrored my quizzical expression as we stared at each other. So much that was said, I was sure that Nahuel was mentioning it for my knowledge. Though I still didn't understand why the man was lenient on pairing Nahuel to an alpha. But, it was then I realized that when Nahuel had mentioned to 'call of your alphas,' was for the man who seemed to be behind all of this.

Who was the man anyways? What was his purpose? It seems that all he wants is for Nahuel to be mated with an alpha wolf. It doesn't make sense. And what prophecy are they speaking of. It was frustrating that there were so many loose ends to this, and the more I though about it, it seemed as if we were getting nowhere.

"But you're tied to an alpha." Aunt Alice stated as it seemed that everyone was now filled in, "if Nahuel knows this, why would he tell you when the man tried to pair him with his alpha's. Is he warning you? Could you be the balance that they mentioned? And what is the balance?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. Honestly though, I didn't care.

It seems as if Nahuel was in the mix of all of this, and whoever this man that was, is forcing him to do things that he doesn't want. Maybe I did tell him about Jacob. But why would he care, did he still care enough for me to go through what he was going through? Or were we missing something entirely?

Whether we wanted to discuss it any further, Jacob and I had chose not to. It was obvious that Nahuel was in his own kind of trouble, and if the problem had come across our path, then we'd do something. Why bother chasing waterfalls?

The main focus was moving on and finally deciding what the next step was for us. Now that my fourteenth birthday was coming up, it felt as if I was in my mid-twenties to be honest. Jacob treated me no different. Though it was him that asked me to take me out on a date to treat me, than he wanted to throw me a celebration at his house for me the next day. The only thing I could think of was how fast the summer past by and the beginning of September arrived.

While my father's side of the family stayed alert about what could happen, I guess it gave me time to think of how I was going to ask Jacob to move in with him. I continued to procrastinate for the past couple weeks, and even though I was practically here ever night, I still found it difficult to ask him.

It was just the nerves getting the best of me. I think he was waiting for the right moment too. Ever since Rachel moved out, more of my stuff ended up here somehow. Grandpa Charlie often teased me about when he should haul the rest of my stuff over. I guess it was his way of giving us that push that everyone else has been giving.

Fourteen years seemed longer than I expected. Then again, some of the memories given to me weren't mine. Probably the reason it feels I have more knowledge than I should have.

As Jacob promised, he did take me out to one of the popular Italian restaurants in Port Angeles. The night was filled laughter and a lot of stories told that I hadn't known about the pack. Which led to the day he first phased and his reasons to keep phasing. The moment my mother came to town was the moment of truce for Jacob. He admitted that he thought it was love at first sight. He would often dream of the day my mother would give him the chance to love her. Even though he admitted that he wasn't sure what those moments would be like, he knew that he just wanted them.

It only made sense to him the day I was born. He was attached to her because of me. Every reason for loving her was because of me. My father could've been anyone and he was sure that it would still be me that he was in love with.

After always wondering about the reasons for the imprint, and everyone giving their reasons, I never bothered to ask Jacob. That was until he decided to tell me after our dinner.

He said he fully understood it after his father told him. Before Billy passed, he gave Jacob reason to find me once again. Billy told Jacob that there's once in a lifetime where the love of your life comes running into your life. The only way you know that this person is the one for you; your heart beats rapidly for a moment before it syncs with theirs, your thoughts are flooded with ideas of how and why you are able to show that person that you love them in every degree. The moment you open your eyes, the first thing you see is there smile, and that you are too smiling. Everything he felt for his Sarah was everything that describes what an imprint is.

Before Billy passed, he gave his reasons why he never was against me being Jacob's imprint. At first, the man admitted that he was a bit upset, it meant that his lineage would no longer continue the way it should have been, and the fact that I was supposed to be Jacob's sworn enemy had him thinking.

But the elder pictured himself in his son's predicament. If Sarah had been a vampire and he a shape shifter, or even if Sarah was a man, the heart and soul he fell for would still be there. To him, gender no longer mattered, and neither did the rules against it. As long as his son had the happiness he had felt with his wife, then he wouldn't take that away from him.

Jacob made that promise to his father that he would no longer fight this. If this is how it was meant to be, then he was going for it.

"I was afraid that you might never forgive me for the way I acted." Jacob sighed from across the table, "but I knew that my father never gave up on me, and I wasn't about to either. It was then; when I finally had the opportunity to get to know you better that I saw the side of you that I was sure no one was able to. The compassion you have for family. The way you observe others and how you act around them. You treat others with respect, even if they don't return it. "

"It's funny that you say that I'm observant." I chuckled coming to realizations. "I've been in the loop with everyone. Wondering what the purpose of the imprint is you have on me, and thinking that we were dealt the wrong cards. Until now, I now know that there really wasn't anything for or against it. We were put together because we're supposed to be."

Jacob grinned the biggest smile. He reached his hand across the table and kissed the back of it. "I've been trying to get you to see that." He admitted. "I believe even if the imprint wasn't in play, I'd still feel the same way I do. It might have took me longer to realize it, but I know that if the imprint broke some way, somehow, I'd still love you just as much. I could never see it any other way."

If it was balance we brought, then so be it. It was a mistake in most people's eyes, then we'd let them continue to see it that way. Tonight, it felt as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders; and for once –I wasn't afraid to say that I love Jacob Black.

"I do have one last question for you." He muttered nervously. "You don't have to answer me tonight or anything, but if I don't ask tonight, then I'd be busy wondering what could have been said… or what could have been done… or if I asked."

"You're rambling Jake." I giggled.

"Sorry." He laughed, "umm… well since. Since Rach moved in with Paul and they're stuff is out, I was hoping if… you'd like… if you'd… do you want to move in with me?"

The first thing I could think of was yes, but before that was the permission from my grandparents, then my parents. It was really my decision, but I wanted their approval. I wanted them to like Jacob just as much as I love him. It mattered to me that they were okay knowing that Jacob and I were ready to take this step.

"Yes, but first." I replied quickly. "I'd like to run this by my grandparents first. I don't want them to think I'm abandoning them."

"Fair enough." He smiled again. "It would only seem right."

Even though everyone asked me if I was sure that this was the next step I wanted to take with Jacob, I still hadn't changed my mind. I was already packing my stuff the night that Jacob had dropped me off. He had patrol once again, and I thought this would be the best time to run it by everyone.

While everyone seemed to be thrilled that Jacob and I were finally together, this kind of brought up the idea that someone still needed to give me the sex talk. My father stepped away from the topic as fast as he could, but my mother convinced my grandma Esme and aunt Alice to help her do some research for the next time she could sit me down to give me the long talk I didn't want to hear.

Thankfully it hadn't lasted that long, but it go me thinking of the interactions we'd eventually have. It was sort of disturbing hearing my grandma and my aunt explain the many safe ways men make love to each other. I felt like a toddler the way they were speaking to me. It didn't help that my mother sat on the side as she squinted her face on some of the disturbing topics. But once it was over, I grew a bit appreciative of the explanations. It saved me time from researching the topic online if and when I was ready.

As the days went by, so did the worries I had for Nahuel. I did feel bad for the man, but it wasn't in my hands. I wasn't about to look into something that could be someone else's problem. It was bad enough that the council were still seeking out some witch doctor to examine Jacob and I. Most of the elders still didn't believe that we were soul mates. It was sort of bringing attention to everyone involved and causing a big argument.

Jacob came home furious one night because of it, and I've never seen Jacob in that condition since the day he left. The memory shared from my past, it was the first and only one I'd remember of my birth –now so clear. Jacob: walking –no, running away as fast he could. His expression filled with anger. It was then I was sure that I had done something wrong. Normally it wouldn't bother me because I knew how to control the situation. But today, Jacob was different.

Instead of doing what I expected, he came and spoke to me first. It was bothering him how much the council was going against him. They would never say it to his face, but it was as if they were fixing to betray him at any moment. I hadn't understood why they had such power, but it was enough to upset the entire pack, as it seems. Rachel had a lot to say about it as she refused to show any respect for them, including Sam.

But that night, it hurt to see Jacob burden so much pain. He cried for the first time in a long time. It took my every effort to comfort him while he held onto me. I knew he was conflicted, and I knew that he would choose me if it came down to it. It was upsetting us both knowing that he and the others protected the tribe for years, and this is how they were repaying him.

If it wasn't one thing, it was the other. Now that aunt Alice gave an update on Nahuel, I was sure that it had nothing to do with me. Nahuel apparently had found his mate, but not with an alpha. He was welcomed into the pack, as the man had seemed to leave him alone after that.

Conflict began to arise, as it seemed as one of the council may have come across someone that would be able to break our bond. Jacob and Paul had a feud with Sam and the others, one I hadn't known about until I had come home from a day out with uncle Emmett. According to Jacob, it was Paul that convinced Jacob to break the pack from the tribe and strike until the council can clear their heads. It wasn't like the men had power over shape shifters.

But then, I realized that the problem once again revolved around me. I was the source of disagreements. There had even been talks about me being banned from the reservation and back to Forks where I apparently belonged. It was bad how much the people on the reservation gossiped, but thanks to Rachel, I was being informed of a lot of things that began to bother a lot of us. Even the imprints were ready to confront the council.

"I swear," Rachel fumed, sitting across the counter from me, next to Kim and Aubrey. "If the council aren't careful, I will tell Paul that we're out of here too. I bet anything that there are other places out there that need us."

"Jared is willing too." Kim added.

"Ty is flipping over Sam's actions too." Aubrey put her bit in, "he can't believe that the man used be one of them, and now he's not doing anything to stop them."

"But what power does Sam even have now?" I asked. "I mean, he used to be alpha, then beta, now he's human again; aging with the others. Unless he can phase once again, why do they have say?"

"Because it's how the cycle has always been." Rachel hissed, "it has always been the chief who had say in everything."

"Who's the chief now?"

"Some Robert guy." She shrugged. "He was elected a year ago and has involved himself with the pack when he heard that Jacob imprinted on you. I think because he found out his son is gay that he felt he needed to step in. I mean, the man did kick his own son out because of it."

"But can't a hereditary chief step in if he wanted to." I asked, "what if Jacob stepped into the role."

"But Jacob won't." Rachel explained, "After claiming his role as alpha, he doesn't want the responsibility of the tribe as well. And to be honest, I don't blame him for not wanting too. This place holds too much drama; human-wise as it is."

"So what can we do?" I asked frustrated, "I can't stand to see this bother Jacob anymore, it was bad enough that he needed to convince me, and now he's facing these a-holes."

"We step in as imprints then." Kim spoke, nudging Aubrey next to her. "I mean, Rach even said it. She can make Paul practically do anything for her, and Jared is more willing to be at my command, and I can see that Ty is whipped. Why can't we just step in as imprints and tell them that it's our way or the reservation will be in danger because of them."

"They can't keep putting Jake and Seb through this," Aubrey added. "I bet you anything if it hadn't been for Seb being Jacob's imprint, I'd be the next victim because I'm white. This doesn't make it fair for any of them, any of us. Jake and Seb deserve to live freely without these judgmental figures on the rosters. I say we need to get them out of there some way."

"Then we shall." Rachel gave me a smirk. "This is going to sound a bit farfetched, but I need you to be open-minded when I say this."

"What?" I stared at Rachel with caution.

"You need to marry my brother."

A/N: I hope it doesn't sound too jumbled. In the beginning I was going to put the topic steering more in Nahuel's direction, but after reviewing it myself, I'm keep it somewhat simple and a bit closer to reality. So I hope you all continue to read and review.

As always, thanks to lytebrytehybrid88, The betrayer hunter, BurnedSpy, I'm The Dream Master, Hank's Lady, wolfhappiness, FreeSpirit15, and .16547. Also to the ones that favored and alerted.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03