Moonlight in Forks

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

Wisdom

Jacob went home first, to change into something more suitable, before he headed to Forks to see Bella. He drove there in the Jeep, his mind far away, his heart troubled by all the extra responsibility he had taken on. He wished he had time to speak to Billy, he needed his father's advice on how to deal with Sam now that his actions had caused the pack to split into two halves. He was also in partnership with Uley. How was that going to affect the fledgling business?

"One problem at a time, Jake." Jacob thought to himself.

First, he had to deal with the Leah situation, which only made things more complicated. He hated the thought of having to drag Bella into the pack's problems when she was still so fragile. The only plus was, that even just out of hospital, she had shown enough gumption to stand up to the she-wolf. Not an easy thing to do, for even a seasoned wolf like himself, let alone a human.

It was only a short journey to Forks. In that time black clouds had taken over the sky. He parked the jeep behind Bella's old truck and climbed out. The rain had lost the ambient temperature of early fall, freezing, and sizzling on his skin on contact. The path leading up to the house was muddy, filling deep puddles that hid the ruts of dryer weather. To feel it wasn't enjoyment, not fun like the gentle sunshine of springtime, yet it was a part of life and Jacob wanted to feel it just the same. He wanted to experience each drop, together and apart, same, and different. He wanted to see the droplets soaking his eyelashes before they joined their brethren on the ground like saltless tears. He needed to be in this, to feel nature chaotic and wild, just like his mind and soul – it soothed him in a strange way. By the time he stepped on the front porch he was feeling calmer, more in control.

Like with Leah before him, it was Renee who answered the door. He greeted her with his usual sunny smile. "Hi, I've come to see Bella."

"Hello, Jake." Renee seemed a little perturbed. She stared past him into the gloom outside, as if making sure he was alone.

"Is everything alright?" Jacob asked in concern.

"Sure." Renee ushered him inside, quickly closing the door on the bad weather. "I was just checking that wildcat wasn't lurking about in the shadows."

"Wildcat?" Jacob repeated, confused.

"Leah Clearwater." Renee's brown eyes clouded over. "She came barging in here earlier, rude as you like, being short with me and upsetting Bella." She paused, frowning slightly. "Hey, I guess you probably know her."

"Yes." Jacob sighed. "And I'm sorry about that."

"You've seen her?" Renee sounded suspicious.

"Yes." Jacob said again. "And don't worry, I called her out on her bullshit…um…I mean crap." He smiled again sheepishly, feeling embarrassed at his use of bad language in front of Bella's mother. He didn't know Renee well enough to know whether she would be offended by it.

Renee sensed his awkwardness. She eased his worries with a smile of her own. "Bullshit is right. I've never met such an unpleasant person."

"She wasn't always like that." Jacob admitted, wondering why he was jumping to the she-wolf's defense. "She changed a lot after Harry died."

"Ah, yes, Harry Clearwater." Renee murmured sympathetically. "I remember him. He was Charlie's fishing buddy. He was always such a cheerful guy. Fun to be around. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I'm sorry for Leah's loss, but that still doesn't excuse her behavior around my daughter today."

"No, you're right." Jacob agreed.

Renee seemed to collect herself. "Now, you wanted to see Bella, didn't you? And there's me babbling away again. I know she's desperate to see you. Don't tell her I told you that, though." She whispered in an aside as she led the way to the front room. "Between you and me she doesn't make the best patient. She's been a bit grouchy. So, watch yourself."

"Your secret is safe with me." Jacob faked locking his lips with an invisible key.

Renee laughed in amusement, before calling out to Bella. "Hey, baby girl, look who I found on the front doorstep!"

Jacob walked into the front room to find Bella tucked up on the sofa. She was completely covered in a thick woolen blanket, her broken leg propped up on several cushions. As soon as she saw him, a radiant smile lit up her entire face with warmth and joy.

"At last, I thought you would never get here."

"Wow, that's quite a greeting." Renee teased, laughing again when Bella rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'll leave you two alone to get reacquainted, shall I?"

"Mom!" Bella protested.

Renee smirked. "Don't wear my baby girl out, Jacob." She said over her shoulder as she left the room, earning herself another glare from her daughter as she went.

"Your mom's a hoot." Jacob carefully eased himself onto the sofa next to Bella. He put his arm around her as she settled against him with a grateful sigh.

"Oh, yeah, she's a regular comedian." Bella answered drily.

"You okay?" He asked, concerned.

Bella glanced up at him pensively. "I had a visitor today."

Jacob's expression turned grim. "I heard."

"Mom already told you."

"No, Leah did, actually."

"You've seen her?" Bella said, her eyebrows rising in surprise. "So, she took my advice and went to the meeting after all." She mused.

"Kinda." Jacob hedged.

"Jake, what does that mean?" Bella asked, as she picked up on the hesitancy in his tone.

"Something happened."

"Ugh, Jake, stop with the cryptic answers. Just tell me!" Bella demanded.

Jacob couldn't help but smile, despite the seriousness of what he was about to tell her. She was just too cute when she was mad. He kissed her forehead and wrapped her tighter in his arms. Bella rested there. As always, he felt deliciously warm. Heat radiated from him, enveloping her in the comfort and security she had come to rely on long before she realized how much she loved him.

Jacob let out a slow exhale as he made his announcement. "I'm the Alpha now."

"What!" Bella said more loudly than she intended. She glanced uneasily toward the door, expecting Renee to come back in, but either she hadn't spoken as loudly as she thought, or her mother was too preoccupied with something else to hear. She turned back to Jacob, lowering her voice. "I thought you had decided against taking over the pack."

"It kind of happened unexpectedly. It wasn't really a conscious decision. It just happened." Jacob frowned at the memory. "And I'm not Alpha of the pack. I am Alpha of a pack."

"Huh?" Bella looked totally confused.

"We've split." Jacob explained. "Sam refused to step down as Alpha. And there can't be two leaders. So, I left the main pack, and some of the others decided on their own to come with me."

"Wow, Chief Jacob." Bella whispered in awe.

Jacob cringed. "Please don't call me that."

"Why not?" Bella smiled in amusement at his discomfiture. "That's what you are. Or should I call you boss or Almighty Alpha. I like the last one best. Sounds kind of sexy."

"Hey, enough of that! I've had enough teasing from the others." Jacob scolded her playfully.

Bella squirmed as he lightly tickled her waist, a sweet grin spreading from within and expanding upon her face. "Oh, come on, you know you like it, Almighty Alpha."

"Enough." Jacob laughed. "I won't stop until you do."

"Okay, okay." Bella said breathlessly. "I give in."

"Good." Jacob said as she settled back down against him.

A comfortable silence fell between them, as their gentle laughter died down and they just cuddled together for a while. Peace descended on them, both of whom were loath to break.

Unfortunately, the difficult conversation loomed and couldn't be put off forever, Jacob's pack… (his pack? Would he ever get used to saying that?) were waiting for an answer. He knew he couldn't delay any longer.

So, haltingly at first, Jacob told Bella in greater detail what had happened, explaining to her his inner thoughts and emotions leading up to the parting of the ways from the main pack, the subsequent aftermath when the others followed him, and finally coming to the most difficult bit-Leah's part of the story.

"So, that's it. You know everything now. I didn't want to bother you with all this. You have been through enough. But I knew you would never forgive me if I didn't include you in the decision-making process. You were the one it affected most of all. So, what do you want to do?"

Jacob's brows were furrowed together and he looked deeply troubled. Bella felt sorry for him, being forced to deal with this, when he was already burdened enough. It was easy to forget sometimes, because he looked so much older, and was much more mature than those his age, how young he still was in years.

"This is the first major decision I've got to make as Alpha. And it is the toughest." He smiled, and swallowed, as if the words were hard to voice. "Its terrifying, if I'm being honest."

"I know." Bella interlaced her fingers through his in sympathy. "You didn't ask for this. And you shouldn't have been put in this position. None of us should."

"But the burden is mine by birthright. I was always meant to the Alpha-not Sam."

"Its probably why he struggled so much with it." Bella surmised with a weary sigh. "Everyone's lives have been so messed up by the Cullens coming here. Carlisle was selfish to bring his coven here, knowing what the outcome would be for you all, considering he was here when the last pack was active. I always admired him, you know, I thought he was honorable. But not anymore. He is just the same as the rest of them-what he wants he takes without thought or consequence."

Jacob leaned down and kissed the top of her head, the fingers of his free hand finding their way into her hair. He combed through the soft brunette strands, his eyes distracted, as he pondered what she had said. It was the first time she had called the Cullens a coven and not a family. They were just another set of vampires to her now. She saw them as he did, it was a comforting thought.

"I don't think you're ever going to get a proper apology from Leah." Bella continued thoughtfully. "I don't think she is capable of it-too much pride, I guess. But from what you've said, I feel that she is remorseful. I think she showed considerable bravery coming to face you, as well as plead for a place in your pack. I don't think she would cope emotionally being sent into exile; it would just be yet another rejection, when she has faced so much rejection already."

Jacob's eyes tightened at the corners. "You have forgiven her for what she did to you?" He asked cautiously.

Bella shook her head. "No, I haven't. Not yet. Maybe never. I don't know." She paused for a few seconds, as if trying to recall something. "How does that saying go? Holding grudges are like a tree holding onto its leaves in the fall. Better just let go. Something like that anyway."

"You are the wisest person I know." Jacob said tenderly, his fingers still stroking her hair.

Bella's smile turned rueful. "If I was so wise, I would never have gotten involved with the Cullens and we wouldn't be having this conversation." She pointed out. "Being wise after the event is no wisdom at all."

"The Cullens were here long before you moved to Forks." Jacob reminded her. "And I stand by what I said." He kissed her soundly on the lips before she could make another protest. "Okay, the decision is made. I'll give Leah one last chance. She can join the pack on a trial basis. If she screws up even once, then she's gone."

Bella smiled, burying herself into his side again. His insane body heat was making her feel drowsy. She yawned. "I'm just going to rest my eyes. Will you stay with me for a bit?"

"Sure, sure." Jacob promised, pressing a kiss into her hair.

He stayed long enough, just to make sure she was truly asleep, then reluctantly eased away from her, so that he could go back to his pack and put Leah out of her misery.

As for what to do about Sam and the main pack, that was a problem to be faced another day.

A/N-thanks for reading!