Hi y'all.

Sorry for such a delay in posting! I had actually written most of Chapter 2 before even publishing Chapter 1, but life got in the way.

Again a lot of this Chapter does happen canonically, so I have used a lot of NM for reference for the conversations. From next chapter onwards there will definitely be a lot more separation from the source material.

And in regards to Bella's pregnancy as someone asked in the reviews (thanks for the reviews, btw! I appreciate you all) - I plan for the pregnancy to be more like a typical human pregnancy minus a few differences that will happen as she goes further along. That includes the length of time she is pregnant for - which will be the typical pregnancy length.

This chapter begins on November 12, and on that day she is almost 11 weeks pregnant (I use an online pregnancy tracker to calculate exactly when she'd be due/how many weeks she'd be at each point in time, based on the conception date - which will be explained further into the story, too!). It's a little unrealistic as most pregnant people find out sooner than that, but since she was depressed it's not that unrealistic that she'd attribute the symptoms to that.

Any q's I'm happy to answer them, but I think most will be answered as the story progresses. :)

Chapter 2.

Saturday November 12, 2005.

Bella could only hear her harsh breathing as she curled up on the bathroom floor, the sudden anxiety taking over her body as she tried to suck in breaths while squeezing the hole in her chest that made her feel like her body was crumbling.

It was 12pm, and Angela wouldn't be here for another 2 hours. Thankfully, the reason that she and Angela had agreed to meet at Bella's house, Charlie was away fishing again, leaving Bella to wallow in her own suffering without the concerned ears and eyes of her well meaning father.

The thought of her dad brought on a new wave of nausea. She had spent the night lying wide awake, a nice break from the horrific night terrors she'd been experiencing, but she realised soon that her own mind was almost as terrifying as she ran through every possibility. That, and her continued worry about Jacob, was enough to keep her awake all night.

Deciding not to spend the next two hours doing the same thing, she forced herself up and downstairs into the laundry room. She'd stripped her own bed this morning and thrown the sheets into the machine, which had now finished, so she spent the next 30 minutes making her bed and tidying her neglected room a little. It was the first time she'd be having a guest in her room in almost 2 months, minus Charlie. It wasn't messy, per se. In fact, quite the opposite, she realised as she looked around. The room didn't look lived in at all. Sighing, she stacked some books on her side table to at least give the appearance of normality. She considered putting a CD in the old music player that sat on her shelf like she used to, but thought better of it, knowing music never did her any good these days.

After deciding to distract herself further with housework, she was scrubbing the kitchen sink when the doorbell rang. Bella jumped and looked at the clock, it was 1:45pm. She hadn't noticed it reaching that time, so she smiled slightly at the knowledge that the housework had done its job at distracting her. Opening the door with the kitchen gloves still on her hand, she was greeted by Angela who had a small smile on her face.

"Oh, sorry!" Angela said. "I'm early."

"Oh, no." Bella said, pulling the gloves away from her hands. "It's fine, I lost track of time a bit."

She invited her in and they both made their way through into the kitchen. Angela placed the bag on the table, which Bella was trying to pointedly avoid looking at too hard. But Angela made that difficult as she emptied the context of the bag onto the table, revealing three different boxes, making Bella look at her questioningly.

"You gave me $15, which covered a few." She explained. "I didn't know which ones to get so I just got one of each."

"Oh, that's okay." Bella started. "Good idea to be thorough, I guess."

Angela nodded slightly and offered her a small smile.

"Do you want me to stay?" Angela asked and Bella bit her lip, thinking. There's a part of her that really wanted company, but she also knew that whatever the result, the emotions she'd spent the day repressing would make themselves known, and she didn't particularly want Angela witnessing that.

"I'll go." Angela said, making the choice for her, offering her another small smile. "If you want company, just text me, okay?"

Bella gave her a small smile back in thanks and accepted the small hug that Angela leaned in for.

"It'll be okay," Angela offered before letting Bella lead her to the front door. Bella watched as she drove away, suddenly feeling even lonelier than ever even though she knows she didn't want Angela to stay for this. She actually was resisting the urge to grab the boxes and throw them in the trash to remain ignorant to the truth.

Instead she turned quickly, closing the door being her, flinching at the loud noise it made. She grabbed the boxes from the kitchen table and walked fast up the stairs, not allowing her time to even think about what she was about to do.

She walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and sat on the closed toilet lid, looking at the boxes in her hands. She didn't really know which ones to use, either. One claimed to be the most accurate, detecting pregnancy before a woman's period is even due. Despite not needing that, as she knew that if she was pregnant she'd already be 2 months along, she chose that one, hoping she'd get clear answers as it promised. She tore the box open, throwing the empty box into the plastic CVS bag to dispose of secretly later, and gave the instructions a quick read.

Deciding they seemed simple enough, she lifted the toilet lid and peed, making sure the test, which felt heavy in her hand, was placed appropriately. When she was done, she put the test on the counter and pointedly ignored it as she gathered the trash and placed it inside the CVS bag, which she took into her bedroom and hid under her bed behind some storage boxes so Charlie wouldn't find them if he happened to look under. She then found herself sitting on the floor with her knees up against her chest.

5 minutes passed.

Bella knew she needed to look. The instructions stated 5 minutes was the time to look. If you looked too early it wouldn't have processed, but too late and the test could be invalid.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up, walking towards the bathroom at a speed that felt like slow motion. She turned the corner, seeing the test sat on the counter, face down so she couldn't see the result, and she moved to stand in front of it, moving her hand to touch it.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her hands were shaking as they turned the test over. Suddenly her heart didn't sound like it was pounding anymore. She felt it drop. She could feel it in her stomach.

The two lines on the test were bright, pink and very, very strong.

"Shit." Bella breathed, feeling her eyes well up and suddenly the tears were coming down her face in force, unable to stop them. "Fuck."

She shouldn't be this surprised. As soon as Angela had suggested it, something clicked. All the symptoms she'd been having, all the symptoms she'd attributed to her heartbreak and depression were because of the… baby inside of her. The baby she'd been unknowingly gestating for 2 months.

She felt a shaking hand reach down to her stomach, almost like she'd feel something there. The small bump now felt obvious, previously something she'd attributed to bloat, something she'd always had often after eating. Swallowing, she grabbed the test and brought it into her bedroom, putting it in the side table drawer, for some reason not wanting to throw it away, despite the answer being incredibly clear from just one test.

Feeling fidgety and not knowing what to do with herself, she threw herself on the bed, letting the sobs she'd been repressing take over her body again. She didn't know what to think, what to do. She was angry, angry because she'd been told this couldn't happen, angry because they had left her to do this alone, when she had no idea what she was dealing with. She was in shock, because even though she had expected this result once it was suggested, she still couldn't believe this was actually happening. And she was sad, again.

But also… she felt a little less alone. She wouldn't be alone, as long as she had this little growing being inside of her, who she felt stirrings of love and affection for already. This shocked Bella, who had convinced herself she hadn't wanted children, but suddenly the idea… the existence of this growing baby - half her, and half the man she knew she'd always love, regardless of his feelings for her - felt like a lifeline to hold onto, so she could go on.

She only became aware of her surroundings again later on in the day when Charlie arrived back home and knocked on her bedroom door. He opened the door slightly and peered in.

"You okay, Bells?" He asked, sounding concerned. He walked into the room, taking in her appearance. Bella realised then she must've looked pretty awful. She couldn't tell him, though. No matter how much she wanted to share this burden with someone else, she couldn't. In fact, the thought of telling him made her suddenly realise just how detrimental this situation she's in is. "Bad day?"

"I guess." Bella whispered. Charlie looked worried and Bella regretted her words. Charlie had only recently told her that he was happy she was doing better than she had been 2 months ago, she knew she had now ignited new worries. She tried to brush it off as sickness. "I'm okay. I just feel sick, still."

"Mmm." Charlie gruffed, sitting on the bed beside her, putting one hand on her forehead. "You feel a little warm. Can I get you anything?"

"No," She said, her eyes dropping slightly. "I'm okay."

Charlie smiled sadly and rubbed her back, Bella's eyes continued to droop as he comforted her and Bella's eyes welled up again behind her lids as she realised that the best thing she could do for Charlie was leave. Bella was scared, knowing that she knew nothing about this pregnancy, the pregnancy of a baby she wasn't sure would be born human, vampire, or something else entirely. It was safer for Charlie if he didn't know, and that means she'd have to leave him. It was the only way.

For now, she accepted his comfort as she drifted to sleep, the exhaustion and shock of the day providing her with a dreamless, deep sleep.

Sunday November 13, 2005.

Waking up rather suddenly, Bella groaned, her hand coming up to rub her eyes sleepily. She groggily recalled the events of yesterday evening, and woke up abruptly, one of her hands lowering instinctively to her stomach.

She knew that realistically, she needed to see a doctor. She had been pregnant for 2 months already with no medical care. But she also knew she didn't know what to expect with this pregnancy, would seeing a human obgyn be an issue? She spent the next hour googling symptoms of pregnancy on her phone, and after her research, concluded that her pregnancy felt like a usual pregnancy, but since she couldn't know for sure, she didn't want to consider calling any doctor yet. Which was worrying her, since she would have no way of knowing anything was wrong, no way to know that her baby was healthy, and no way to even deliver a baby safely.

Deciding to brush those thoughts to the side for now before she began completely freaking out, she forced herself from her bed, dressing in a fresh outfit.

She brushed her hair quickly, making herself look a little more presentable, at least, then made a mental plan for the day.

She wanted to deal with her Jacob problem first. She could worry about the other problem later. She needed Jake right now. While she still wasn't confident she should tell him about her predicament, she needed him back in her life. She missed him, missed his smile, and his warmth. It had been over a week since she'd last tried to call, so figured by now, she should be able to get some answers from him or Billy.

Last night, while in the midst of anxious overthinking, she tried to think of things other than the growing embryo in her uterus, and she came to a horrifying realization.

It was Sam Uley. That was why Jacob was avoiding her, and why Jacob was acting strange. But while she heavily suspected he had something to do with it, whether it be instinct or paranoia, she didn't really know why. Jacob had been almost afraid of them, but they'd managed to convince his friend Embry to join the gang, so was it really that unlikely that they'd managed to convince Jacob, too?

She didn't want to think about it too hard. But she had a strong feeling. Instead of sitting and dwelling, she opted to try to call Jacob again. It had been a full 7 days now since she had managed to catch him on the phone, and felt it unlikely that he was out of the house so early on a Sunday. Walking down the stairs to the kitchen, she found a note on the table from Charlie; he'd been called into work, which would make this easier for Bella. She had to save Jacob before she lost him to Sam completely.

After staring at the phone on the wall for a long minute, she picked up the phone. She decided to call Charlie before making any effort in contacting Jacob. She had a feeling something was going on in La Push with Sam and the others, and thought it best at least the police be aware of the possibility.

Charlie picked up the station phone himself.

"Chief Swan." He answered.

"Dad, it's Bella."

"What's wrong?" He questioned quickly.

"I'm worried about Jacob."

"Oh. Why?" He asked, surprise in his voice.

"I think something weird is going on down there. Jacob told me about how his friends started acting weird and strange stuff kept happening with them, and now he's acting the same way, and I'm scared, and worried about him."

"Acting weird, how?" he said seriously and Bella sighed in relief, glad he was taking her seriously.

"First he was scared of them, and then he was avoiding me, and now I'm worried he's part of that gang down there. Sam's gang."

"Sam Uley?" Charlie asked in surprise.

"Yes."

"Bella," He started. "Sam is a great kid. I should say great man, now. He's doing good with the youth on the reservation. I think you've got it wrong, Bells."

"Dad, I'm not sure it's like that. Jacob was scared of him."

"Bells, I'm sure it's okay. He's a kid, he was probably messing. I'm sure he's fine. Billy hasn't had any concerns. Jacob just can't be with you all the time, after all."

"This isn't about me, Dad.' I insisted.

"Look, Bells. Let Billy take care of Jacob. I think you're worrying for nothing." Charlie said and Bella's shoulders slouched in defeat. It seems Sam has a hold on everyone. "I have a lot on my plate right now. Two tourists have gone missing off a trail, this wolf problem is getting out of hand."

Bella frowned. She knew of this wolf problem and something about it made her feel uneasy. She had no idea why, Charlie hadn't seemed too concerned but recently there'd been enough that he had been putting extra hours in after work. Hearing him concerned worried her.

"Oh." Bella whispered. "Are you sure it was the wolves again?"

"Seems so." He replied. "We found tracks. Look, Bells. I really have to do. Don't worry about Jake, I'm sure it's nothing."

Bella sighed. "Okay. Stay safe."

"Will do." He said before hanging up.

Bella put the phone down, before staring at it for a full minute and picking it back up.

Billy answered after only one ring, this time.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Billy." She replied, trying to sound friendly but it came out harsher than anticipated. "Is Jacob there?"

Unsurprisingly, Billy's answer was negative. "No, he's out with some friends."

"Oh," Bella started. "Anyone I know? Quil?"

"No." Billy answered. "I don't think he's with Quil today."

"Embry?" Bella questioned, testing the waters.

"Ah, yes." Billy replied, happily. "Yes, he's with Embry."

Bella's heart sank, but she had the confirmation she needed. Embry was one of them.

"Ok, well can you have him call me when he comes home?" Bella said, knowing he wouldn't.

"Of course." Billy said, followed shortly by the brief click of the phone as he hung up. Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and put the phone back.

Before thinking about it further, she grabbed her keys and got in her truck, driving all the way to La Push. She didn't remember most of the drive, but she soon found herself in front of Jacob's house. She wasn't sure what she was doing here, but she knew she needed answers from Jacob today. It didn't matter at this point what they were, she was just tired of uncertainties.

She found herself anxious, so took out her phone and opened the sudoku app that she'd found useful on sleepless nights to distract her from thinking too much. She'd only filled one line with the correct numbers when a tap at her window made her jump. She turned, half expecting Billy there staring in annoyance, but she saw Jacob.

"What are you doing here, Bella?" Jacob almost snarled, making Bella stare back at him in slight shock. Jacob had changed in the time since she'd last saw him, his once long hair was cut short, and his face had a hardness about it that aged him years. He didn't look like the young, careless boy that she had spent her time with. He looked scary, Bella noted.

"Jake?" Bella whispered, garnering no response from the boy. Bella then realized he wasn't alone and there were four boys, no, four men, standing behind him with similar hard expressions on their faces. Bella resisted the urge to just reverse and drive away, feeling particularly vulnerable under their combined gazes.

"What do you want?" Jake growled and Bella felt a lump arise in her throat. Maybe she'd made a mistake.

"I… I just want to talk to you." She said quietly.

"Go ahead."

"Alone." She replied sharply, eyeing the towering men.

Jacob's face softened just the slightest amount, hardly noticeable to Bella's eyes. He turned and muttered something to the men behind him, who backed up and left him alone with Bella. She opened the car door and he invited himself in, forcing Bella to move up in the booth to give him enough space. He took up a lot more space than he had done just a few weeks ago.

"Let's get this over with." He said.

Bella frowned, waiting. He knew what she wanted.

"It's not what you think. It's not what I thought."

"So what is it, then?" Bella demanded.

He clenched his jaw, turning his head to avoid eye contact. "I can't tell you."

"I thought we were friends, Jacob." Bella whispered pathetically. "I guess you don't need friends anymore. Now you have Sam."

He turned his head quickly to look at Bella.

"This isn't Sam's fault. He's helping me as much as he can." He said, vaguely and Bella shook her head slightly.

"Helping you?" She questioned. "Jacob, why can't you just tell me what happened? What did he do?"

Bella stepped forward, tears collecting in her eyes as she watched as he flinched away from her, holding his hands up defensively.

"Don't touch me." He said quietly and Bella's chest constricted.

"What did Sam do?" Bella begged. The tears had escaped her eyes at this point, which she wiped away with her sleeve roughly, angry that they had betrayed her at a time she wanted to stay as collected as possible.

"Stop blaming Sam." He snapped.

"Who should I blame, then?" Bella snapped back.

"You don't want to hear that." Jacob said, with a huffing laugh and dark smirk.

"No, I do." Bella insisted. "If someone is to blame, I want to know."

"Fine." He said. "If you want to blame someone you should blame those filthy bloodsuckers you love so much."

Bella's mouth dropped open as she processed his words. She didn't hear him right, she couldn't have done. Her chest burned in ways that would've had her calling 911 if she wasn't already familiar with the twisting, jagged hole that existed where her heart should.

"I told you that you didn't want to hear it."

"I don't understand who you mean." Bella said shortly, her voice surprisingly strong considering her inner turmoil.

"You know who I mean." He rolled his eyes. "You're not going to make me say it are you? I don't enjoy hurting you, you know."

"I don't know who you mean." She repeated stubbornly.

"The Cullens." He said, looking at her face as he said their name. "See, I know it hurts you."

Bella shook her head. Confused at why suddenly Jacob believed the stories Billy had recited to him. Last year he had insisted to her they were just simple stories. He seemed amused by the way Billy appeared to believe them. What changed?

"You're being ridiculous." Bella said quietly. "Don't tell me you believe those stories, now?"

"He knows more than I thought." Jacob replied, looking out of the truck window.

"Be serious, Jake." Bella said, shaking her head. She felt guilty because she knew he was right to believe those stories, but she couldn't understand why he suddenly was.

"Weird legends aside," Bella continued before he could respond. "I don't see why you're blaming them for whatever is happening. They left 2 months ago."

"It was all set in motion. When they were here."

"What set in motion? What are you blaming them for?!"

Jacob growled slightly under his breath and turned to Bella, getting closer to her face. The expression made Bella flinch back slightly as he spoke. "For existing."

Bella then saw the apparition of Edward, who appears as close as Jacob was to her face. She moved her eyes from Jacob's face to Edward's, her chest constricting and eyes welling up. In the midst of everything happening for her in the past few weeks, she hadn't had time to put herself in a risky situation to see him. The fact that subconsciously she thought she was in some kind of danger right now scared her and made her heart pound even harder in her chest. Jacob was mad, but he wasn't a danger.

"Don't push him." Edward cautioned and Bella closed her eyes slightly, looking down to avoid Jacob's hard gaze.

"You're being ridiculous."

"Fine," Jacob replied, almost rolling his eyes. "I won't argue with you. The damage is done already."

"What?" She replied. "I don't understand, Jacob."

"I have to go." He finalized. "There's nothing more to say."

"What? There's plenty more. You haven't said anything!" Bella argued, but Jacob ignored her protests.

He opened the door, reaching his long legs out of the booth of the truck. Bella followed him, shuffling up towards the door.

"So that's it? You're just going back to Sam." She shouted towards him as he walked away. He didn't falter in his steps.

"If you want to see it that way, fine." He replied. "Bella, we can't hang out anymore. Go home."

"What?" She abruptly replied, now jumping from the booth to run and attempt to catch up with him as he walked away. She had to speed up to match his large strides.

"It's not you - it's me. I'm not good." He stated. "We just can't, Bella."

"It's not you, it's me?" Bella repeated in shock. "Jacob I-... whatever Sam is telling you is wrong. You are good. You're so, so good."

"I was." He said. "Not anymore. Nobody told me I was anything. I know what I am."

"We're friends Jacob, that's what you are." She replied, tears leaking from her eyes now. "You're my friend."

"I'm sorry, Bella." He said, and Bella's steps stopped and her shoulders dropped.

She still had no answers, but she knew it was Sam. Sam had put something in his head that made him feel unworthy of her friendship, of any friendship. She had an uncontrollable wave of anger that she felt in every limb of her body and she had to refrain from screaming. After standing there for a few minutes, the house's door opened, but it was Billy who appeared in the doorway.

"I just called Charlie." Billy stated. "I told him you're on your way home."

His message was clear.

Bella sighed, swallowed the lump in her throat and turned back to her truck, driving all the way home with tears streaming down her face.

When she got home, she was met by Charlie who was waiting on the porch. As she left the car, he walked out to meet her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Billy said you and Jacob had a fight and you were pretty upset."

"That's… not really what happened."

He smiled sadly and put his arm around her and helped her into the house.

"So, what did happen?" He said, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch to sit over Bella's shoulders.

"Sam Uley told Jake he can't be my friend anymore."

"What?" Charlie said, looking at her with narrowed eyes. "Who said that?"

"Jacob did." Bella said quietly. Not a complete truth, but it was the truth and Jacob hadn't denied it.

She went upstairs to shower and change and as she was drying her hair with a towel, she overheard Charlie on the phone. It sounded like Billy was blaming her for the fall apart of their friendship.

"Bella has made it clear that they were just friends." Charlie said. "No-, no. If that was the reason, why not just say that? Why didn't Jacob just say that?"

After a long pause, Charlie's voice got louder.

"What do you mean?" He almost yelled. "I don't know my daughter as well as I think I do?! That's where you're wrong Billy-."

"No. If you think I"m going to remind her about that, you are very wrong. She was just starting to feel better and a huge part of that was because of your son. So if whatever is going on with him sends Bella back into that depression then Jacob will have to answer to me."

Bella turned towards the toilet bowl and vomited, whether in response to Charlie's words, or as a routine bout of what she now knew to be morning sickness, she didn't know. Billy was blaming her? She shook her head again and threw up the rest of her lunch into the toilet, tears falling down her face.

Later that night after a brief and slightly awkward dinner with Charlie (he still didn't know how to deal with an upset Bella, whether it be from boyfriends or just friends), she found herself lying on her bed, thinking about memories she'd previously not let herself think of. But the hole burned painfully already, so a little more pain didn't make much difference. Not today.

She had drifted off into another nightmare, when suddenly she was awoken by a tapping at her window. Her heart jumped into her throat as she jumped awake, the comforter that was already askew from her dreams falling off her body onto the floor.

Her hands shook as she walked towards the window, but she almost cried in relief when she heard the familiar voice.

"Bella!" The husky voice shouted, sounding more familiar to her than it had done this morning. "Open the window! Damnit."

She shook off the shock and opened the small window as wide as it would open, letting Jacob climb into her room. Once he had settled onto the wooden floor, he looked up at Bella with a wide grin. Bella wasn't sure how to respond. Her own lips threatened to turn upwards at the sight of his familiar wide smile, but his words from earlier today only played on repeat in her head, and suddenly she only felt angry.

"Get out." She said shortly, and pointed towards the window.

"Wait, no, no." He said, taking her hand and pulling it down so she was no longer pointing towards the exit. "I just want to apologize."

"Well, I don't accept." Bella responded. "Now you can go."

"Bella, please." Jacob said and as they made eye contact, Bella softened slightly. His face still had the added hardness she'd noted earlier today, but his eyes held familiarity. Of Her Jacob. Not the version that had taken over his body this morning.

"Why?" Bella said. "I don't want apologies, Jake."

"I know, I know." He said, pacing slightly and Bella felt dizzy watching him, so sat at the end of her bed, watching him walk around the small room. "I just couldn't leave things the way I did this afternoon. I shouldn't have said those things, Bella…"

"I don't understand." Bella started. "I don't understand anything."

"I know." Jacob sighed, eventually taking a seat on the bed next to her. "I wish I could explain. I really do."

"Why?"

He sighed.

"Look, have you ever had a secret you couldn't tell anyone?" He started and Bella's thoughts instantly jumped to the Cullens. Not only the Cullens, but the growing child in her womb.

"Something that you couldn't tell your Mom, or Charlie?" He continued and Bella looked down, hoping she didn't look guilty. But still unsure where this was going. "Or even me?"

"I don't know why you came here Jacob." Bella said, feeling a little defensive. "I don't want riddles."

"I know." He repeated and sighed, again. "The thing is, you already know."

Bella shook her head, looking at him. What? She wondered if he still had a fever, he really wasn't making any real sense.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked.

"I mean that you know." He repeated and Bella sighed. "If you guess what it is… I'd be off the hook. But I can't tell you."

Bella shook her head to herself. She really didn't know how to respond. If she knew what was going on, she wouldn't have spent almost 2 weeks worrying and trying to call him.

"Do you remember the day we met on the beach, in La Push?" Jacob started carefully, trying not to tell her outright.

"Of course."

"What did we do?"

"We walked on the beach?" Bella questioned, having no clue how any of this was relevant.

"And… what did we talk about?"

"I don't know," Bella started. "You told me some Quileute legends. Scary stories."

"Bingo." He said, and Bella frowned. "Think about all the stories."

Bella pursed her lips slightly. Only one story he shared had mattered to her, and it was the only one she could recall right now. She looked at him and shrugged.

"You know this." He said, standing up. "You KNOW this!"

"Jake, it's late." Bella said tiredly. "Can we do this in the morning?"

He rolled his eyes slightly before sitting on the bed next to her again.

"Did you know?" He asked and Bella turned to him. "Was it me, who told you what he was?"

Bella turned away, her eyes focusing on a chip of paint on the wall. She couldn't answer that.

"See?" He prodded. "See what I mean about loyalty? It's the same for me, but worse."

"Isn't there any way for you to… get free?"

"No," Jacob seemed to laugh. "I'm in this for life."

"That… makes no sense."

"You'll see." He replied, expanding no further. "You just need to remember."

Bella shook her head, knowing she wouldn't. The frustration was bubbling, the truth felt so close but so far from her.

"I have to go," He said, standing. "They'll be looking for me."

"What, you're not supposed to see me?" Bella almost growled.

"Not really." He replied. "It's… complicated."

"Yeah." Bella scoffed.

"They aren't bad people, Bella." Jacob said. "I know I said bad things about them but I was extremely misinformed. They are helping me. I know it doesn't seem that way considering how our friendship has ended up but that's not their fault."

"Mmm." Bella hummed, not believing him.

"Just try." Jacob said, turning to the window. "Try to remember. Please."

Bella stood, walking to him. "What are you doing!? Charlie is asleep, use the door!"

He chuckled, a laugh that made her heart swell since it sounded like her Jacob. The Jacob she had needed to see so much right now.

"Fine, fine." He smirked. "Now please get some sleep. Remember, for me. I need you."

He walked towards the door and disappeared through it silently. Bella laid back on her bed, head pulling apart every part of that interaction. She felt more confused than before.

Her dreams that night were different, not the same usual night terrors she had become accustomed to in the past few months. She was in a forest, but not the usual forest she usually found herself stumbling around in. The smell reminded her… La Push. This forest was in La Push, she was sure of it.

Then suddenly, Jacob was there. He pulled her alongside him, almost tripping her over as she tried to keep up with him. His hair was long, again, as he urgently pulled her along.

"Jake? What's wrong?"

"Run!" He yelled. "We have to run!"

Confused, but trusting, Bella continued her attempts to keep up with him. Then, then came to a sudden stop, almost causing Bella to trip with the sudden loss of movement. Jacob's eyes were wide, his nostrils flaring as Bella watched him whip his head around like he was searching for something. Someone.

Suddenly, Jacob twitched. His whole body twitched. Again. Again. Again.

Bella jumped back, both in fear and confusion as he fell to the ground, his body continuing it's rhythmic twitching.

"Jacob!" Bella screamed.

But he was gone. And in his place was a large, no, monstrous, wolf. It towered over her, looking down at her intently. He was tyring to tell her something. Bella, against all instincts, didn't run. Instead she started back, right into the familiar black-brown eyes. Jacob Black's eyes.

She woke with a sudden jolt, a short scream escaping from her mouth before she managed to catch herself and replaced the alarming sound with frantic gasps.

She remembered now. Remembered the stories that Jacob had told her.

Jacob was a werewolf.

Sam's group isn't a cult after all. It's a pack. Of werewolves.

Her stomach lurched and she found herself crouched over the toilet for the second time tonight. What kind of place was this? Vampires, and now werewolves? Or was she just delusional and had been since she'd stepped on that plane in Phoenix? She was beginning to wonder.

Finding herself back in bed, knowing she would be unable to sleep, she attempted to unpack everything she knew.

Vampires were real.

She was pregnant. By a vampire.

Werewolves were real.

Jacob was a werewolf.

Sleep somehow found her, and she welcomed the rare, dreamless sleep.