Chapter 17: Friends mean everything.

Jacob crawled into bed as his alpha's sad howl pierced the night.

Jacob didn't understand it one bit. Sam married Bella after one day of meeting up again, knowing she was going to die in a few short years.

But why?

Why risk that kind of love? Take the chance to love someone even when you know your heart will be broken and shattered in the future.

Empathy ran through Jacob strongly as he thought about his alpha.

Sam was the strong silent type. He was a good alpha and a good chief, but the man struggled. He was cold and kept everyone at arm's length.

Even when they were kids when Jacob first invited Sam to join them, he struggled back then too. and just when Jacob was starting to see glimpses of hope in his alpha's life, Joshua Uley would show up to crush them. He hated the man with a passion. The man did everything he could to manipulate Sam.

Even now, Sam may have been the new chief, but Joshua was still calling the shots in the background. He would phase once a month and go through Sam's head and if he saw anything he didn't like he beat Sam to a pulp. That was another reason why Jacob was so worried about Sam and Bella's marriage. When and if Joshua found out, he'd kill Bella and that of course would kill Sam. And yet Jacob had a flaring hope that Sam would make it through this. Why?

Because Bella was Sam's light. Sam had never done a thing for himself and yet he was risking everything to be with Bella.

Jacob would be sure to talk to her. He needed her to see just how much Sam was sacrificing for her.

Sam didn't put his neck out there for just anyone and the last person who had seen Sam's soft side was Leah.

She had phased unexpectedly scaring the living daylights out of the elders. They had no clue what to do with a female shifter so they did the only thing they thought would work, they offered her to Sam, to be his wife.

Sam of course said no. But that didn't stop the elders or Joshua from trying they did everything they could to get them together, but nothing worked. Sam ignored Leah and Leah hated Sam.

Until one day Sam did the unexpected.

Flashback:

"I have a request," Sam announced as he stood before the council during one of their meetings.

"Speak chief to be" Joshua ordered.

"I am requesting the removal of Leah Clearwater from my pack."

Of course, everyone was in an uproar, but Joshua silenced them.

"State your reason."

"What worth is the Clearwater name if Leah keeps phasing? What strength could she add to our numbers? Women are not meant to fight but meant to serve. What children could she possibly bear in this state? What worth is she to me as my bride if her body won't allow her to bear my pups? I am asking that she be allowed to leave the pack and move to Seattle where she can start her studies. As long as she stays on the reservation on weekends and promises to return to her tribe when she is done."

At first, the pack had been sickened by Sam's words. How could be so cruel and sexist? But then they saw through their alpha's plan. He had to make Leah seem worthless to the pack for the elders to let her go.

After a moment of silence, they all agreed.

Because Sam Leah was free. She was free to live her life and love who she wanted.

That day had opened the door for Jacob's relationship with Leah. He could be with her without the fear of the elders.

But what about Sam? Would he be free to live his life with Bella or would their stubbornness lead them to heartbreak?

Who would fight for Sam as Sam had fought for Leah?

Who would stand his corner?

It was then Jacob made a decision.

He would stand in Sam's corner and Bella's.

…..

Isabella sat in the corner of the Cullens home in a lounge chair.

For once everyone was home and gathered in the living room.

She had to agree that were different from the ones in Volterra.

While they were a family, the Volturi was a hierarchy. Subordinates would always be subordinates no matter how close they became to someone.

The Cullens however, acted like a human family. As much as they could anyway.

They played, laughed, and argued.

At the moment, they were all doing something different.

Edward and Alice were in an intense game of chess, Rosalie was painting her nails, Jasper and Emmett were playing video games, and Carlisle and Esme sat close cuddled together on the couch talking.

Isabella dared to admit it was kind of nice. Her family didn't do these kinds of things and yet she also dared to admit that there was a sense of unease over her as she sat in this chair.

While they laughed and enjoyed each other company. There seemed to be a somewhat internal battle among them.

She shook these observations away and allowed her thoughts to stray to Sam. It was raining hard, and she wondered if he enjoyed the rain. Did it lull him to sleep at night? What about when he was phased? Did it cling to his fur? The droplets soaked the grass beneath him.

And yet she wondered what it would be like to make love to him with the rain pouring down.

It had been three weeks since they saw each other. But they texted and had secret phone calls almost every other night.

However, that wasn't enough. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. And she wanted to see her family again.

Her human family.

A knock at the door made every vampire freeze.

there was a thump from upstairs, and Peter was at her side.

"it's a human girl. That's all I got."

"Her thoughts are strange. She singing in an unknown language." Edward determined.

"I can't see her future! It's black." Alice hissed.

"Well, no point in panicking. Im sure she's just a little lost." Carlisle said as he stood to answer the door but even Isabella could sense unease.

No one spoke as he went through the mud room and to the front door.

"Hello, their young lady. Can I help you?"

"Hello, sir. I am looking for Isabella Swan."

Before anyone could stop her or say anything, Isabella was pushing past Carlisle and tackling Leah.

"leah! I knew I heard your voice."

Leah laughed as she wrapped her arms around Isabella's waist. Pulling her into a tight hug. There was a slight tremble in Leah's body, as she and Isabella stood up. the rain pouring down on them.

"Isabella? Why don't you invite our guest in. no need for the two of you to get wet." Carsile gestured from the door.

"actually sir, Isabella and I had plans. I was just coming to pick her up."

"yeah! We made plans for lunch today. Leah, im going to get my purse!" that said, Isabella ran inside to grab her belongings.

"um…ok, but you're more than welcome to come inside." He told Leah.

The latter shook her head.

"No thank you, sir. I will wait in the car."

…

Bella was rushing down the stairs her purse in hand when she stopped.

The Cullens were watching her. Carlisle was standing at the bottom of the stairs looking very uncomfortable.

"Princess, we are very confused. You have put not only your safety but our safety in danger by inviting them, unexpected guests. What if she had shown up when the sun was out? not to mention your safety. Anything could happen to you. It would be fitting for you to tell her to go home. We cannot allow you to go out of our protection."

It was then Isabella stood to her full height.

"Dr. Cullen, this woman is my friend and I trust her. My guard will be with me. besides don't you think your family draws more attention to yourselves because you don't interact with people? If anything it makes people more suspicious of you because they don't see you out in society. You should think about that. "

With that said, she left and didn't look back.

….

"gah, Bella I wanted to kill them on the spot!" Leah told her as she drove on the highway.

Bella laughed as she pulled on her jeans, grateful Leah had tinted windows.

"I would have let you. they can be so pompous. Are you ok?"

"me! Are you asking me? Are you ok? I mean you have to live with these cold ones."

Bella shrugged. "I've been doing it since I was six years old. I've become immune. Well, I used to be. It wasn't until I moved in with the Cullens that I became uncomfortable. My every move is being watched."

As she said it, Bella looked in the rearview mirror. of course, her guards were following her.

"you should just move to the reservation," Leah told her.

"I wish I could but it's complicated. anyway, where are we going?"

"We are going to a party! And believe me, you are going to have so much fun."

…..

When Leah pulled Bella into the throng of people and down some creepy-looking stairs. She thought her friend was crazy.

Until they reached a heavy cinder block door.

Leah knocked six times before it opened.

Jacob stood before them, with a bright smile.

And behind him was Sam.