Echoes of the Unknown

Previously on Forbidden Fruits :My hunger was somewhat forgotten now returns tenfold as I look for newer prey. This meeting has left me famished in the best ways.

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or any other twilight works .

Jacob POV:

As Edward faded into the forest, I stood at the treaty line, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Confusion mingled with curiosity, and I couldn't shake the feeling of intrigue mixed with apprehension. Meeting one of the Cullens so unexpectedly was unsettling, to say the least.

Part of me wished Edward had lingered a bit longer, maybe shed some light on the questions gnawing at me. But dealing with cold ones always meant walking on thin ice. It was better to keep our encounters short and sweet, to avoid any unnecessary risks.

As the rush of adrenaline subsided, I paced along the treaty line, lost in thought. Edward Cullen had left a mark on me, his presence lingering like a ghost in the forest. Despite the danger he represented, there was an undeniable allure to him. His gaze, his smile, his aura of confidence – it all drew me in, despite my instincts screaming at me to stay away.

But beneath his charm, I sensed there was more to Edward than met the eye. His words seemed calculated, as if he were playing some elaborate game with me as the unwitting pawn. Yet, despite my reservations, I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to unravel the mystery surrounding him. I wanted to peel back the layers, to uncover the truth hidden beneath his surface.

Still, I knew better than to trust a cold one. The Cullens may have honored the treaty, but cold ones were creatures of deceit and manipulation. As I stared into the forest where Edward had disappeared, I couldn't help but wonder about the secrets he held. What had brought him back to Forks after all this time? Was it And why now?

Shaking my head, I pushed aside the thoughts threatening to overwhelm me. Dwelling on Edward Cullen would only lead to more questions, and I had enough on my plate as it was. With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the treaty line and headed back towards La Push. But as I walked, a sense of determination stirred within me.

I would keep a close eye on Edward Cullen. I may not trust him, but I couldn't deny the pull he had on me. As I made my way back to La Push, the familiar rhythm of the forest enveloped me, soothing my troubled thoughts. The scent of pine and earth filled my nostrils, grounding me in the present moment. But beneath the calm exterior, a storm of emotions raged within me, fueled by the encounter. As I reached the outskirts of the reservation, I veered off the main trail and into the dense undergrowth. Finding a secluded spot,The transformation was swift and exhilarating, a rush of power coursing through my veins as fur sprouted from my skin and bones shifted beneath the surface. In mere moments, I stood on four legs, my senses heightened and acute.

With a low growl, I bounded forward, the forest a blur of green and brown as I raced through the trees. The wind whipped past my fur, carrying scents and sounds that told the story of the land around me.

As I ran, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Edward Cullen's presence lingered like a shadow in my mind, his enigmatic aura leaving me both intrigued and wary. What were the Cullen's up to? And why did the Cullen's choose now to return to Forks? And why did he smell so..good ?

But amidst the chaos, one thought remained clear: I had to get back to Jared, I had to tell him I saw Cullen. He was waiting for me at the house, and I couldn't afford to keep him waiting any longer. He's probably worried about me after I ran off earlier. But who would blame me after what I learned tonight. It's been one eventful night for sure. With renewed determination, I pushed myself harder, my muscles burning with exertion as I pushed through the forest. The familiar landmarks of the reservation came into view, signaling that I was getting close.

Finally, I burst through the trees and into the clearing where my house stood. Jared was pacing anxiously outside, his expression filled with concern.

"Jacob, where have you been?" he exclaimed as I shifted back into human form, my nude body a little wet from the shift. I shook my head, trying to catch my breath as I leaned against a tree. "Long story, Jared. I'll fill you in the house," I replied, my voice rough with exertion.

Jared eyed me skeptically, but he knew better than to push me. Instead, he nodded in understanding and followed me inside, where we could talk in private and I could get some clothes on. I walked into the house reaching for a pair of shorts on a jacket hook by the front door. I tend to keep a pair of shorts there a lot these days. I made my way into the kitchen grabbing a water bottle and then walked in the living room.

As I collapsed onto the couch, my mind raced with thoughts of Cullen's , Edward and the mysteries surrounding him. But for now, I pushed them aside, focusing on the present moment and the friend who stood by my side. Jared sat next to me on the couch, "So, spill it, Jake," Jared prodded, breaking the silence. "What happened out there? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It's... so random," I began, struggling to find the right words to describe the encounter with Edward Cullen. "I was out hunting, tracking a cougar, when I ran into him."

Jared's eyes widened in surprise. "You ran into a Cullen while hunting?" he exclaimed, disbelief coloring his tone. "That's... super random."

I nodded grimly, a knot forming in my stomach. "Yeah, tell me about it," I muttered, recalling the tension that hung in the air between us. "We... crossed paths while chasing the same cougar."

Jared let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Talk about bad luck," he remarked, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.

I couldn't help but agree. Running into a Cullen while hunting was the last thing I needed, especially considering the fragile truce between our species. But what troubled me more was the strange pull I felt towards Edward, despite knowing better than to trust a vampire.

"Did he say anything?" Jared asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head, my mind still reeling from the encounter. "Not much," I admitted. "Just some small talk, and then he left."

Jared frowned, concern etched on his features. "And you're sure he didn't... I don't know, try anything?"

I shook my head again, feeling a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "No, nothing like that," I replied. "But there was something... off about him. I can't quite put my finger on it." Jared's brow furrowed in thought, his gaze distant as he mulled over my words. "Well, whatever it is, we need to keep an eye on the Cullen's, I let Sam know they're back in the morning " he declared, his tone firm and resolute.

I nodded in agreement, grateful for Jared's support. "Yeah, we do," I replied, a sense of determination settling over me. "What's Sam gonna do now with the Cullens back in town?."

Jared's expression grew serious as he considered the implications of the Cullens' return. "Sam will want to convene a pack meeting, discuss our options," he explained, his voice low and measured. "We need to be prepared for anything they might throw our way."

As the gravity of the situation settled over us, Jared and I fell into a tense silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The prospect of facing off against the Cullens was daunting, to say the least. But we couldn't afford to back down, not with the safety of our tribe hanging in the balance.

After a moment, Jared cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We'll figure this out, Jake," he assured me, his tone reassuring despite the uncertainty that lingered in the air. "We always do."

As we continued our discussion, Jared's eyes grew heavy with exhaustion. I could see him struggling to keep them open, his head nodding slightly as he fought against sleep. With a sigh, I realized just how tired he must be, waiting up for me to return from my encounter with Edward Cullen.

"Hey, Jared," I said softly, reaching out to gently shake his shoulder. "You should get some rest. You look beat."

Jared blinked sleepily, rubbing his eyes as he tried to focus on me. "I'm fine, Jake," he protested, but I could see the fatigue written all over his face.

"No, seriously," I insisted, a hint of concern in my voice. "You need to sleep. We can talk more about this in the morning."

Reluctantly, Jared nodded, too tired to argue any further. With a weary smile, he stood up from the couch and stretched his arms above his head. "Alright, fine," he conceded, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "I'll crash here for the night."

I nodded in agreement, grateful that he was finally giving in to his body's need for rest. "Sounds good," I replied, patting the cushion next to me. "You can take the couch. I'll grab you a blanket."

As Jared settled onto the couch and closed his eyes, I fetched a blanket from the nearby closet and draped it over him, tucking it in around his shoulders to keep him warm. With a final glance at my friend, I headed upstairs to my room, ready to finally get some rest after the long and eventful night. As I lay in bed, the events of the evening replayed in my mind, the image of Edward Cullen lingering like a shadow in the darkness. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: The Pack and I would face whatever challenges came our way together, just like we always did. With that thought in mind, I closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. Stretching my limbs, I sat up in bed, feeling a sense of determination coursing through my veins. Yesterday's encounter with Edward Cullen had left me with more questions than answers, but I was ready to face whatever came my way.

As I got dressed and made my way downstairs, I found Jared already awake and brewing a pot of coffee in the kitchen. He greeted me with a tired smile as I entered the room, the events of last night still weighing heavily on both of our minds.

"Morning, Jake," Jared said, pouring me a cup of coffee and gesturing for me to take a seat at the table. "Sleep well?"

I nodded, taking a sip of the steaming hot liquid. "As well as can be expected," I replied, trying to push aside the memories of Edward Cullen and focus on the day ahead.

Jared nodded in understanding, his expression mirroring my own concerns. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he said, his voice low. "Last night was... intense."

I couldn't help but agree. The encounter with Cullen had left a mark on both of us, lingering like a dark cloud over our thoughts. But we couldn't afford to dwell on it now. We had bigger things to worry about.

"Any word from Sam?" I asked, breaking the silence that had settled over us.

Jared shook his head, his brow furrowing in frustration. "Not yet," he replied. "But I'm sure he'll want to convene a pack meeting soon. Other than the Cullen situation , wanna talk more about you being omega ?" He said cautiously looking at me has he took a sip of coffee for his cup.

As Jared brought up the topic of my status as an omega, I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Being an omega in our pack came with its own set of challenges and responsibilities, and I knew there was much I still needed to learn about my role.

"Yeah, I'd like to hear more about it," I replied, setting my coffee cup down on the table. "I know the basics, but there's still a lot I don't understand."

Jared nodded, his expression serious as he considered his words. "Being an omega means you play a crucial role in our pack dynamics," he explained, leaning forward slightly. "You're the peacemaker, the one who keeps the pack united and strong."

I listened intently, eager to learn more about the intricacies of my role within the pack. "But what does that entail exactly?" I asked, furrowing my brow in confusion.

Jared sighed, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to find the right words. "It means you're responsible for maintaining harmony within the pack," he said finally. "You're the one who helps resolve conflicts, soothes tensions, and ensures that everyone's needs are met."

I nodded slowly, starting to grasp the weight of my responsibilities as an omega. "So, I'm like the glue that holds the pack together," I mused, the realization sinking in.

Jared smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Exactly," he replied. "And don't underestimate the importance of your role. Without you, the pack wouldn't be as strong or resilient as it is."

As I absorbed Jared's words, a sense of purpose stirred within me. Being an omega wasn't just about following orders or obeying the alpha's commands. It was about being a leader in my own right, someone who could guide and support my packmates through whatever challenges they faced.

"Thanks for explaining it to me, Jared," I said sincerely, gratitude welling up inside me. "I feel like I have a better understanding of what it means to be an omega."

Jared nodded, his expression warm and reassuring. "Anytime, Jake," he said. "We're all here to support each other, no matter what."

As we finished our coffee, the sound of my phone ringing broke the quiet of the morning. I glanced at the caller ID and saw Sam's name flashing on the screen.

"It's Sam," I said, answering the call and putting it on speaker so Jared could hear as well.

"Jacob, Jared, I need you both at the pack house, now," Sam's voice came through the line, urgent and commanding.

My heart skipped a beat at Sam's tone, knowing that this meant it's probably about the situation with the Cullens.

"We're on our way," I replied, exchanging a glance with Jared as we quickly gathered our things and headed out the door.

As we made our way to the pack house, a sense of foreboding settled over me. Whatever Sam had to say, it was clear that our lives were about to change once again. But no matter what lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: We would face it together, as a pack.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I wanted the previous chapter to shed light on where both Edward and Jacob feel at the present time about each other . I am trying to follow the timeline of the books but with a few tweaks here and there. Jacob being a wolf before meeting the Cullens will make sense soon I promise.:) Until next time .