~A/N Taking my time with this one. We'll get to Edward eventually. Let's see how Jacob behaves after hearing the news about his new mate and his nemesis.

Chapter 4: Where She Belongs

"Stay back a second, Bells. I feel like I could lose it. I can't believe that skinny twerp came anywhere near you. Cooking school. Do you have any idea how fucking sick of a joke that is?"

Jacob kept moving further away from her and closer to the backdoor that led to the deck. She hadn't meant to upset him or ruin their incredibly hot makeout session. He's the one that encouraged her to get all her questions out in the open beforehand.

She had no idea what she was supposed to do. He'd answered questions, not provided her with a manual. He told her to stay back, but she knew he was in pain. Was it part of the imprint? She felt something too. They fed off one another's emotions somewhat. Bella slowly walked towards him. Jacob opened the door leading outside, but she placed her hand over his on the doorknob.

She rubbed over his heated skin. "I'm okay Jacob. Now you know... we both do. I trust you. You'll protect me. You promised."

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. His shaking dissipated. His face softened. She was reaching him. Bella was happy her touch and her voice could calm him down. He let a few more seconds pass before stepping all the way back inside and pulling her close to him. She felt him breathe in and out against the top of her head. Eventually, she looked up as he held her face in his hand. He kissed her again and she knew he was back.

"You can't leave tonight."

"Okay, I didn't want to, obviously."

"Yeah, well, it's not like I wanted. Unfortunately, I need to call a meeting with the pack. We'll be close by. You'll be safe. Sorry," he gave her another kiss at the corner of her mouth. "We'll get to... well you know? Completing the imprint sooner rather than later."

"What? We're not complete?" She didn't like the sound of that.

"Oh yeah, I left that part out. That's the key to changing your mind. Once we mate, the imprint can never be broken."

"Gotcha."

"Still with me?"

"Definitely."

Jacob showed her to his room. He gave her something to sleep in and left her alone for a bit. She brought the soft cotton tee to her face and breathed in his unique masculine scent. She was embarrassed to see he'd walked back in and caught her red-handed.

"I like the way you smell too, Bells... a lot."

"Oh my gosh, Dad." She couldn't help it, she was courtesy and always told her parents her whereabouts, especially if she wasn't coming home all night.

"Already called him. It didn't even get weird. I filled him in and he knows this is the best place for you. You said Cullen was behind you when you had your paperwork. Chances are he saw your name and address. He probably knew you were related to Charlie by scent alone. This is fucked up. The doctor promised they were leaving soon, that they'd lived as long as they could in the area. I put up with them going to high school but no one in the family ever asked permission to attend the college. I thought they were all headed off to faraway regions of the world. He reads minds, I forgot to mention that."

"Really? Oops, I thought he was weird."

"Good, maybe he got the hint."

"He kept squinting his strange eyes and shaking his head at me. I thought he had a tic."

Jacob said the pack should be outside waiting on him. He told her to try and get some rest. She looked back at his big empty bed. She couldn't wait until he came back in and slept there with her.

"Hey, Bella."

"Huh?"

"I never brought other girls to my apartment. It was a thing with me. I just thought you should know. I'm not a saint, but I always used the excuse the place wasn't finished." He said it was a feeling he never could shake and his wolf never liked him seeing other girls ever since he knew about her. "It's been a weird two years."

"That's so strange, because I pretty much gave up on dating almost two years ago too. I became very disenfranchised with the whole scene. I thought all the good ones were taken, but I guess I was wrong... I just needed to meet the right person."

He gave her a quick kiss and said the guys were probably getting restless. He promised not to be too long.

Bella felt like she was soaking up the heated rays from the sun back in Florida. She never thought she would feel so toasty warm again after moving to Washington. A few delirious minutes passed by before she completely woke up and felt that it was actually Jacob spooned against her that made her feel so hot. She wiggled ever so slightly. He gripped her waist.

"Don't move."

She did anyway.

"Stop and don't dare roll over."

"Why?"

"Just because." He sounded super frustrated. "I'm meeting the guys soon at Charlie's to investigate if Cullen's been around. I tried to get the head leech to answer my calls last night, but he's avoiding me. Trust me, I want to stay in this bed with you for at least a week, but I can't right now, so it's best if I don't look at you while we're laying down."

She thought that was silly. Bella wanted to see Jacob again. Looking in his eyes already made her feel so much better. She squirmed and twisted until he finally let go. As soon as she was facing him in that position, she knew what he meant. Looking into his dark eyes, in such close proximity to his bare chest with her naked legs so close to his was going to test their limitations.

Bella gulped.

"I told you."

She stuttered. Did he know how gorgeous he was? Surely, someone informed him on a daily basis. He was breathtaking, perhaps even beautiful. Did guys want to be called that? She kept it to herself.

His hand moved to her cheek but settled at her neck. She was breathing heavily like she had been involved in a strenuous activity.

"Are you hungry?" way to change the subject.

He said he was, but he needed to shop for groceries in a bad way. Bella told him she could surprise him with her resourcefulness.

"I bet you can."

"I'm ready to do a little work in that great kitchen anyway."

"You like my kitchen?"

"Yes, it's fabulous. So is this bed. I've never had such a comfortable night's rest. I love your whole place, Jake."

"Good, it'll make the move that much easier."

"Move?" Did he honestly think she would move in so soon. They were rushing everything but she had never lived with anyone and hadn't even considered such a thing. She needed to finish that culinary program, it was her dream. "Um, well. I know what you explained about the imprint and all, but we'll just have to wait and see. You know play it by ear."

He didn't hesitate. Jacob reached around her and pulled her all the way against his hard body and kissed her breathless. Her head fell back when he trailed hot open mouth kisses down her neck. When he got to her ear, he said one final word, "Today."

"What? What about today?"

"I'm moving you in today, that's what. This isn't up for discussion."

"Are you crazy? We can't do that?" No one had ever told her she a thing. Up for discussion, my ass. Bella needed to stop getting so flustered and swept away and tell him how it was with her.

"Why not? You said you get it, that you accept our bond."

"But... "

She was immediately flipped to her back and pinned to the bed. Bella didn't have a chance to react before he planted one more warm kiss to her lips. As soon as she was prepared for the next one, he pushed himself off in one move to head into his bathroom.

Was that his answer? If it was, she was willing to listen to him further. Bella pulled on a pair of plaid boxers she found in his drawer. He had some ham, onions, cheese and eggs in his fridge. Omelets, it was.

Bella chopped first. As she was whisking, a knock sounded at the door. She didn't think twice about seeing who it was. She felt at home since the moment she first visited.

"Seth."

Bella dragged him in and gave him a hug. He was probably her favorite from the picnic: so cute, sweet and nice to talk to.

"Um, I'm sorry. I thought Jake would be ready. I'll just wait outside."

"Nonsense. You're here. Stay for breakfast. Jake's still in the shower."

Bella found the pan she wanted and got the fire started. He had a gas range which was a must in her opinion. One more reason to live there. Did she really just think that? There was another knock only minutes later.

Seth stated Quil was with him.

"Oh, why didn't you say so? Let him in too. I have enough for the four of us, but if anyone else shows they might go hungry. We need to shop." She covered her mouth. She was making certain assumptions, when nothing had been decided.

Seth seemed hesitant about letting Quil inside. He even said he'd tell him to wait in the garage. Bella giggled, "Why would you do that? I'm sure he's housebroken, Seth. Come on. I want to get to know all Jacob's friends better. Open the door. I have to flip."

Seth obeyed after that. Quil came inside, "Oh, what do we have here?"

"Bella's cooking for us."

"Score. I knew this was going to work out in all our favor."

Bella was glad she'd just flipped the first omelet because the next thing she knew, she was being lifted off the floor and being spun in circles.

Seth told him to put her down, but he kept it up until Bella insisted she be returned to the stove. Quil listened to her or he'd end up with burnt eggs.

"I'm going to make them all first and then we'll eat together, but there's coffee and juice.

Quil said a few things low to Seth and was always met with, "Shhh, and knock it off."

Jacob had a way of sneaking up on her. He approached as the last of the omelets were done. He leaned around and kissed her cheek. "Smells so good, Honey." He turned back to say something to their the company. "What's this? I thought we were meeting at Charlie's."

Seth answered first. "Bella said." He stammered. "She was cooking and there was extra."

Why the heck did they act so nervous? She thought they were all lifelong friends.

"What's your excuse?"

"Just like Seth said. Bella invited us for breakfast, Bro. We're here to do whatever you need us to do?"

Jacob was still standing between her and the guys. She was trying to move over to the bar with their plates, but he wouldn't move out of her way.

"And did she also invite you two degenerate mutts to stare at her ass while she prepared a meal for you?"

They both denied it. Surely, they weren't. Jacob was just ramped up because of Edward. He reached around her body and undid the knot she made in his shirt. She thought it was better to pull it up rather than making it appear she was bottomless underneath. The long shirt fell back to her thighs and Jacob retreated.

Awkward.

She passed out three giant omelets to each one of them and gave the remains to herself. Jacob asked how she liked her coffee and he poured her a mug while Seth and Quil dug in.

"Oh Bella, it's so good. How do you get the eggs so creamy but not runny? We'll have to share recipes soon."

She giggled. "You cook too, Quil?"

He said with a mouthful that he did. His mom sucked at it. He and his grandfather had to eat. He bragged there hadn't been a fire since he was thirteen. She liked the idea of cooking with him. It would be fun. Maybe she'd do cooking lessons with all of them for practice. Demonstration was part of her curriculum. Jacob was sitting so close to her, she found it hard to eat.

Bella elbowed him.

"What?"

"I need a little room. I'm right handed."

Seth was amused and Jacob growled at him.

Bella swatted him. "Stop with the growling, Jake. Why do you do that with your friends?"

"He can't help it, Bella. We're all a little too eager about you coming into our lives. It's the newness, the fact that you're our alpha female, and other things."

Jacob clanked his silverware against the plate.

Seth swallowed nervously. She was glad someone was being open and honest. Jacob wasn't explaining the pack to her in the best detail yet.

"Oh, and you're really pretty."

"Thank you, Seth. Do you have a girlfriend? You're so nice and handsome. I bet all the girls love you." He blushed and shook his head.

Quil added one more compliment, "Yeah and you smell soooo good too."

"Goddammit, Seth, Quil... enough. You know I'm in a mood already. I think you both can be excused. I'll see you at Charlie's."

Bella frowned at him. Jacob was being far too intense for that early in the morning. Seth and Quil were already pushing up from their seats like they were leaving. Both of them still had a little food left.

"Sit."

"Go!"

"Stay."

He looked at her with disbelieving eyes. Of course, by that time, the guys were completely confused and looked like they were halfway sitting midair.

"Enough, you two... SIT!" He wasn't the only one that could be assertive. "Jacob, you need to chill. Thirty minutes ago, you were in the lead, but now I'm pretty sure moving in is way too rash. We need to set some ground rules."

Maybe she was the only person to talk to him like that, but Jacob was not used to it by any means. Quil and Seth shoveled pieces of eggs and ham into their mouths at alarming speed. She didn't know how they kept from choking. They escaped the apartment seconds later.

Bella was lifted right off the barstool and thrown over Jacob's shoulder. She screamed, "Put me down!"

He made it to his bedroom where he tossed her on the mattress. Jacob settled in between her legs, but hovered over her so she could see his face clearly.

"I gave you a choice and you made it. My mate is being threatened, so I'm on edge. In case you missed it, the single guys in my pack are totally enamored with you, presently. The quicker I make you mine, the better. You'll carry my scent after that, and they'll back off. If not, I'll have them all neutered. No one... I mean, no one will get too close to you. I'm a jealous asshole, so don't tell me 'to chill.' It's not in my nature."

She was giving him her undivided attention. He was in the sort of position that gave her no other option. She was used to a much more wimpy breed of male companions. Bella thought she was a strong, independent female. Jacob was being a bit of a Neanderthal and that was normally a turn off, but no matter how hard she fought it, the opposite happened. She was completely turned on. She wiggled slightly seeking friction with his body.

He jutted his hips into her and his hard length met with her center in the most delicious convergence she'd ever experienced. His lips sought out the delicate skin of her neck. He licked and sucked his way down and across her collarbone before moving back up, just under her ear. She whimpered.

"And it's not too soon or rash. You're moving in here with me as soon as we go get your things... today." There was that word again.

He gave her the kiss she'd been dying for since his little proclamation speech: 'Me Jacob, You Bella.' She pulled him closer, wrapped her legs higher and tighter around his hips. They moved together. His mouth dominated hers. By the time he pulled back to announce they had to cut it out and go to her dad's, her mind was made up.

Jacob wanted her to move in with him. It was nuts. Her dad might understand but her mother's was going to flip shit. She didn't have friends in Forks except for his pack. Who else would know or judge her? She shouldn't care what anyone thought, regardless.

He pulled her off the bed and handed her clothes from the day before.

"Any other questions?"

She shook her head back and forth when she accepted her things. He was right, she'd be co-habitating with him by the end of the day. There really was no other place she'd rather be. Bella belonged with Jacob.

~Thanks for reading.