A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list.

Chapter 6-

Jacob had been rather… fussy these past few weeks. He was almost always pissed off about something or the other, his anger off rocketing in the sky. The other day he almost pulled out Jeremy's head for pulling a rather harmless prank on him. Which was weird- and slightly worrisome- as Jake was a pretty cool and chilled out father. He did not get angry easily, or throw away his untouched dinner plate in the trash because his chosen football team lost the game.

It was scary….

This wasn't the Jake I had known all my life. This Jake was red with fury as he kept grudges and passed rude comments. I had been worried that it was a work-related thing. I had never seen Charlie or Phil this…moody, but maybe something really bad had happened at the garage and Jake did not wish to worry us by disclosing it to us.

I had even asked him about it. I wanted to lessen the burden on his head…but the reaction I had received in response…he had accused me of not trusting him and assuming that he was a failure.

It wasn't like that. Obviously. But he just refused to listen.

After that one failed attempt, I had given up. I kept the house spotless clean- with all my daily chores completed with perfection, not offering Jake the minutest chance to pick out a mistake. My kids now knew better than to bother him the minute he walked in through the door post work…but honestly, how could I teach them to stay away from their father?

He was their father; he should have known better than to remove his frustration on them!

Charlie may have been an aloof father, but there had never been a day when I feared his presence.

I was afraid Jake was about to walk down a road not many could return from. I had tried talking to Renee about it. I did not know who else to talk to! I did not have many friends; I had never been the most social of the lot, and talking to Charlie or Billy was really not an option. Though, that awaited conversation with her had revolved around the lack of passion-filled sex in Jake and my marital life; those fifteen minutes definite to scar me for the rest of my existence!

I was worried about him. Certainly. But my worries simply doubled when Sam Uley barged in through the unlocked door of my house one sudden afternoon.

"Um…Sam?" I questioned with my eyebrows raised.

We were not friends. Heck, I did not know the man anymore than his name.

Why was he here?

And why wasn't Jake home when the he in question was here?

"Bella. I heard Jacob has been behaving weirdly?"

Um.

Why was that his concern, again?

"Have you noticed a rise in body temperature?"

In fact, I had. Jake had been burning up. I had questioned him about it, but to no response. He had simply shouted at me to leave him alone.

"I need answers." Sam demanded, adding a please at my folded arms and continued stare. "It is important."

"Well…yes…"

"Has his appetite increased?" The next question was fired my way before I could prepare myself for it.

"Uh…he has always had a good appetite…"

"Yes, or no?"

"I don't know!" I put my hands up in the air, frustrated. "It is difficult to say. I have growing children. But yes, if I had to give it a thought, my weekly ration was over in three days this week."

Sam looked disappointed by my admission, blabbering something to himself.

"Your father is remarrying, right?"

"Yes...but…"

Why was he here, again?

"I heard she is from Alaska? Do you know her well?"

"Sam, why are you here? I We don't know one another enough to gossip over tea and cookies, if that's what you are getting at?"

"I just…" he ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion clear on his face. "I believe it would be better for all if Jacob moved in with me and Emily for a few days."

What? No?

What kind of a weird suggestion was that?

We were not in high school!

Even then, it would have been weird. If not as weird.

"Bella…you don't understand…"

"Please tell me this is a joke." I pleaded. "For if it is not, I am questioning your sanity."

"Even Billy agrees with me."

So?

Billy was an old man; his opinions were often questionable these days.

"Just trust me. You will come to regret it if you don't let Jake pass through this naturally…"

"Get out." I pointed towards the door. "I don't know what you believe is happening to my husband, but my family can deal with it. We don't need your assistance." Or your stupid suggestions.

It was just a phase.

Jake was soon going to get back to my older, sweet Jake, replacing and forgetting this unlikable Jake for a lifetime.

"I wish I could tell you the truth, but I can't. If, in the future, Jake does come to see you as his mate, he can confess the truth to you. We aren't permitted to tell an outsider."

Wow.

Had he just called me an outsider?

I had been a part of this tribe by marriage for close to a decade now.

This is what I get after devoting my life in treating this tribe and its members like my family?

That was hurtful.

"Look, this conversation is over." I winced, refusing to let out the tears. He wasn't worth it. "I would suggest you leave my house." And never show me your face again.

"I am leaving but I will be back."

I waved him off. Sam Uley was a nobody in my life.

And his words mattered shit.