Bella POV

I stood on the porch long after the sight and sound of Embry and his bike had disappeared. My body still tingled from his hug, and I would almost swear that I could still smell his scent. I remained motionless, trying to pull my thoughts into some kind of order.

The fact that Embry had just pulled me in and hugged me was a surprise, but not one—or so I decided—that bothered me. And now I wondered if I ought to be bothered that it didn't bother me. Hadn't I just decided the other day that I wasn't ready to even think about a new relationship, much less actually start one? Hadn't I been a little uncomfortable today at the idea that Jake and Quil might be arguing about me? And did Embry's comment about me being worth them fighting over mean him, too? Did I want that?

Knowing that Charlie would be coming home soon, I pulled the chicken out of the fridge. I transferred the meat out of the marinade and into the oven to cook. Then I sat down for a much-needed think. I realized that it didn't hurt anymore to think about Edward—at least not very much. More than anything, I was mad at how he'd made all the decisions without even considering what I wanted. I was mad at his family, too, for not even bothering to say goodbye to me. But I'd spent way too long pining over them, and that had to stop right now.

I'd made a start already, by filling my days with time with friends. The girls were great. I'd miss Leah when she went off to college, but we'd keep in touch. Jessica and Angela, I knew, would help me through any bad moments at school this fall. And if Embry actually did come to Forks for some classes…

I had enjoyed spending time with Embry from the beginning. He might have saved me from a fall that first day, but he didn't smother me the way Edward always had. And while on the first day, he might have cooked my breakfast without taking my order, the way he'd apologized for it—and hadn't repeated it since—proved he cared about and listened to my opinions.

But, what was different about Embry compared to Jake or to Quil? Jake was—had always—been a good friend, making sure I felt welcome during my sporadic trips to Forks growing up. But did I, could I, see him as anything more? Could this friendship become something more? Should it? Was it hang-ups keeping me from taking a chance? Or was it knowing how things ought to be between Jake and me, and keeping us from making a mistake that would ruin everything?

I just didn't see Jake as more than a friend—didn't think that was best for us—and the same thing for Quil. He was funny to be around, but he seemed to be a little more of the goofball than either of his friends. Maybe it was just taking that role in their trio, and maybe it was just me acting way older than my age the way I tended to do, but whatever it was, Quil wasn't who I saw myself with either.

And Embry? The more I thought about it, the more I thought that maybe I could see that 'more' with him—or at least I wanted to see if that was going to be the way for us to go.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bella POV

"Bells, where's your truck?"

"It started acting up today, Dad, so I took down to La Push for Jake to look it over."

"Nice of him to do that, and to bring you all the way back to town, too."

"It is, but Embry's the one who brought me back."

"In his car?"

"He doesn't have one. His mom offered hers." Which was true, even though we hadn't taken her up on that offer.

"So he brought you back in his mom's car?" This was starting to take on the tone of a parental inquisition, which made me start to think that Charlie knew about this part of my day and was testing me concerning it.

"No. He brought me back on his motorcycle."

"Bella—"

"I was perfectly safe. Embry's a great driver and I was all covered up." I pulled out my phone and showed him the picture I'd asked Embry to take as evidence. I knew where my dad was coming from on this—as a cop, he'd seen too many accidents involving motorcycles and reckless riders. But I wasn't going to have him blame Embry for it, not when he wasn't like those fools and when nothing had happened to me. I wasn't sorry I'd ridden with Embry and wasn't going to apologize for it; neither was I going to promise never to do it again. Given that Tiffany Call's riding gear was stored in my room at the moment, I was hopeful of at least one more ride just to get it back down to her.

"Okay," my dad finally said, accepting my evidence of safety. "Gonna do it again?"

"I don't know. Embry hasn't asked me to, but if he did I'd probably say yes."

Charlie thought about that for a moment, and then nodded. I figured he'd keep going with the same topic, but he surprised me by changing the subject. "So, what's for supper?"

"Marinated chicken and slow-cooked vegetables. Embry helped while he was here, so I gave him some to take home."

"Nice of you."

"Only seemed fair that he get some of the reward after putting in the work."

"Fair. Any reason Jake and Quil didn't get their share, or are you going to wait until they're done with your truck?"

"I guess we'll see. They kinda got into it with each other this morning, so I'm not sure how much time they had to work on the truck after Billy got done lecturing them. He said Jake would call me when the truck was ready."

"I'm gonna get cleaned up. How long have I got until dinner's ready?"

I glanced at the clock. "About 15 minutes."

"I'll be down."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That was great, Bells."

"Thanks. But I wasn't able to get all my errands done before the truck problems, so if we want stuff to eat tomorrow, we'll need to go to the store tonight."

I heroically kept a straight face when my dad realized that he'd have to trade off watching the Mariners play in order to be able to eat. If it weren't illegal, I almost think he would have just handed me the keys to his cruiser and sent me off. But that wasn't an option. He ended up solving the problem by taking along a portable radio and sitting in the parking lot while I got the groceries. I think we both hoped that Jake's repair job wouldn't take too long.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jake POV

"Jacob! Quil!" My dad's voice cut through the argument raging between us. I was very familiar with that no-nonsense tone, and knew that ignoring it never meant good things for me, so I started moving with Quil behind me. Coming out of the garage, I saw my dad waiting near the house, but no sign of either Bella or Embry.

"Where's Bella?" I asked.

"Embry's taking her home," Dad told me. "Don't think she wanted to be around that argument of yours. What was that about, anyway?"

"This idiot doesn't think I can fix Bella's truck," I jerked my thumb back toward Quil, and farther back to the truck in question.

"I didn't say that!"

"That's what you meant!" I snarled. Quil started to back away and for some reason that infuriated me. "Stop!" I heard some tone-noises behind me and my dad's hushed voice, but ignored them all, my focus on Quil's still-retreating form.

"Jake, look at me. Leave him alone," Dad tried to soothe me, but the rage gripping me wouldn't listen. What I did listen to was the sound of others now approaching. Three figures emerged from the woods, shoeless and wearing only ragged cut-off shorts; three people I didn't want to see: Sam Uley and his flunkies, Paul and Jared.

"We've got this, Billy," Sam's deep voice announced. "Jacob, Quil, come on. Let's get into the woods."

I didn't want to move, didn't plan to, yet I couldn't stop myself from doing what he said. Some instinct of self-preservation had Quil and I close together, our animosity forgotten. Sam was in front of us, Jared and Paul to either side.

"Saw the truck, so where's the driver? We gonna have the ex-leech-lover come running out here to join the party?"

I barely heard the voices snap "Paul" over the roaring in my ears. How dare he talk about Bella like that! The next thing I knew, I felt like my body was tearing apart, turning inside out like that freaky Galaxy Quest alien. Then…

Calm down, both of you! Sam ordered.

Wha-a-a-? Quil managed.

Just breathe, okay? You'll be fine, Jared's voice suggested.

What were you thinking, Paul?

Like you weren't worried about the same thing. Besides, it got them to phase, didn't it?

Phase? I asked.

Look down, Jared advised, sounding amused.

I did, and realized I was lookingfarther down than normal, and at a set of furry paws. What?!

You're a wolf now, Jacob. A protector, Sam told me.

You mean…?

A huge black wolf stepped toward me. Yes. All the stories your dad told you growing up are true. We are the latest spirit warriors to protect our tribe, and you two just joined us.

Protect the tribe from what—?I started to ask, before I remembered what the stories said. Then I couldn't help thinking about that day on the beach earlier this year, when I'd told those stories to Bella.

What?! A chorus of voices demanded.

What the hell were you thinking?

How? What?

Why would you tell an outsider the stories? And an outsider who ran around with the bloodsuckers?

The cacophony in my head was deafening. Desperate to escape it, the paws I'd suddenly acquired dug into the ground and I tore forward.

Jacob!

Stop, Jacob!

I didn't listen. I just ran.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sam POV

Paul, take the patrol loop. Jared, see to Quil here, alright?

Both agreed. I didn't like giving Jacob any more of a head start than he'd gotten already, but I knew I had to give Billy some kind of an update. So I phased back but then didn't have anything to put on—I'd shredded my shorts phasing in response to Jacob and Quil. I moved to the edge of the trees, still staying under cover, and pitched my voice toward where our chief sat in front of his house.

"They both phased. Jared's taking care of Quil, and I'm going after Jacob."

"Going after him?"

"He panicked and ran. Don't worry—I'll find him." Remembering what Paul had said to provoke the phases, I added, "Is she still here?"

"No," he replied. "Embry is taking her home. Neither one of them saw anything."

"Good. Keep them both away. I'm not sure that Jake will have any easier of a time adjusting to this than I did."

"I'll do my best. Now, go find my son."

With the necessary information given, I turned and phased. Jacob?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AN: So now Jake and Quil are wolves. Had originally planned on a chapter with more in it, but I'll give you this now and work on the "more" for the next one.