Eternal Flame was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly and The Bangles' own Susanna Hoffs.
SM owns these characters while I just like to see "What if?"
Chapter 15 – Eternal Flame
EPOV
"Bella, wait." I hurried to catch her as she ran through the gym in search of her friend.
How was it that I was chasing her through the high school gym? Only moments prior I thought I had finally made some progress with her. The night had gone from a beautiful nightmare to a sweet dream, only to be roughly awoken by the cruelness of reality.
Watching Bella interact with Jacob brought out emotions in me I had thought were long dead. I was surprised by the flare of resentment, almost fury, that I had felt seeing them dance or worse, seeing them kiss. I had read about jealousy a hundred thousand times, and seen actors portray it in a thousand different plays and movies. I believed I understood it, but the intensity with which it hit me had surprised me.
The more I had focused on Jacob's mind, the more complicated the feelings got. Coupled with my envy was also concentrated desire. All of Jacob's thoughts revolved around Bella. His every action, every thought, was centered on her. She would smile, and he would remember another smile. She would laugh, and he would conjure images of them laughing together. A touch, a kiss, every action had a slew of memories attached. It was a delightful torture until I nearly came undone.
I watched them hold each other while dancing, and couldn't help but become aroused. Jacob's hands were moving further down her body, and I was concentrating so hard on him, that it felt like they were my hands. Focusing so intently on Jacob's mind made it easier to feel like it was me dancing with Bella. It was like it was me holding her close, and my hands were running down her backside, cupping her ass. It was almost too easy to replace Jacob with myself in his thoughts. I was enraged when she was dragged away from him to dance with the other girls, because it denied me intimate access to her.
Even though I saw in Alice's mind how she taught Bella to dance, it didn't prepare me for the real thing. She was so innocent, but also naturally sensual. The reaction she brought out in Jacob was borderline primal. He felt such a need, a passion for her that it nearly consumed me to relive his memories. I had never felt such a singularly focused mind before, he drowned out everyone else.
When she tossed her hair, his mind went blank for half of a second before I was inundated with images of a very naked Bella writhing under an equally naked Jacob, moaning his name in delight. I couldn't decipher if these were memories or fantasies, only that they were so intense in his need for her; I also reached out for her at the same time he did.
I wanted her. I was so caught up by Jacob's longing for her; I needed to be with her. I formulated a plan that allowed me some private time with Bella. Propriety dictated that I should declare my intentions for her. I needed her to know what I felt for her. I needed her to know I would treat her like a princess, and that she would want for nothing.
I needed her to want me back.
A part of me realised the selfishness of this, but I buried it deep inside with the monster that longed to devour her.
I slyly bribed the deejay to play a song I had hoped would express all my feelings to her, while also ensuring I would be able to dance with her exclusively for its entirety. I held back nothing to let her know she had better options available than a poor boy who could offer her so little.
I timed it so that I was standing next to her as the deejay made his announcement. As the Bangles came through the speakers, I positioned her to so that she would receive the full brunt of my vampire breath as I serenaded her so that she would understand my feelings. I wanted her to know that she should be mine.
Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating, do you understand?
Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming?
Is this burning an eternal flame?
I believe it's meant to be, darling
I watch when you are sleeping, you belong to me
Do you feel the same, am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame?
Say my name, sun shines through the rain
A whole life so lonely, and then you come and ease the pain
I don't want to lose this feeling
Truer words had never been spoken, and I saw that it was working. Bella had her eyes closed and was leaning closer and closer to me. Thankfully due to the wolf stench, my inner beast was tamed from the bloodlust, and I only needed to worry about the correct pressure in which to kiss her.
Then the dim-witted wolf arrived frantic over Jacob, and the moment was lost.
I was then reduced to chasing her through the gymnasium. I offered her my assistance in getting home, selfishly hoping for more time with her. However Lauren offered to drop Bella at her house, on her way to taking Quil home. Since my Vanquish couldn't fit everyone, I conceded defeat and watched them all leave together.
A whole life so lonely, and then you come and ease the pain
I don't want to lose this feeling
JPOV
I felt like I had been submerged in lava then rolled in broken glass. My tongue was thick in my mouth, and I had no sense of surrounding. I didn't bother to open my eyes.
"Ugh," I moaned.
"Jake, buddy. How ya feeling?" I heard a distant voice. I thought that the voice was talking to me, but I wasn't sure. I just moaned again. "You'll feel better soon Jake. Just try to relax." I knew that voice.
"Embry?" I asked.
"I'm right here buddy." Embry's voice was clearer now, but I still felt like ass.
"God, what happened Embry? Why do I feel like shit?" I griped and still couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. I still had no sense of where I was, and all I felt was heat and pain.
"What do you remember, Jake?" another voice asked.
Who the fuck was that?
What did I remember?
I could only recall flashes, bits and pieces of the night. Some flashes were much clearer than others.
Bella.
There was a dance.
She came in, and then a sharp memory of how she smelled.
God, she had smelled incredible. I didn't even know what I smelt, but it woke up something deep inside me.
She looked so sexy in her tight dress. Her creamy skin was bright against the dark blue fabric. It was almost like someone had painted on her skin.
I had wanted her, badly.
I ravaged her with kisses, marking my territory. I left no doubt that she was here with me.
There was dancing.
I held Bella tightly against me, running my hands over her body. How I wished we were alone then.
Then there was Bella dancing seductively.
She tossed her hair, and then another sharp memory of how she smelled.
Her scent completely enveloped me and I was beyond turned on.
I wanted to take her right there on the dance floor in front of everyone. Just to let them know she was mine.
Mine.
Some stupid game by the dj, and Bella slow dancing with her pale friend.
Mine. MINE.
"Whoa, ok Jake, easy there. Bring it down a few notches."
Who the fuck was talking to me? And how in the hell did they know what I was thinking?
"Jake, anything after the dance? Do you remember what happened when we got home?" another voice asked. No wait, I knew this one; Embry.
"Home?" I vaguely recalled Billy being outside when Embry dragged me off the truck bed. Then I think he took my clothes off.
Wait, what?
"Embry, are you gay?" I mumbled. Then laughter, lots of it. It was so loud. It was much too loud. "Shut up! God, my head is killing me." I tried to bring my hands to my head, but the movement felt off. I struggled to open my heavy lids.
It took me awhile to realise where I was. It took me even longer to realise I could see better than I should have been able to. I appeared to be in the woods, with only the dim light of a new moon shining down.
"Em, why am I in the woods?" I slurred. "And why did you take my clothes off? And why are there other people? And where ..." I was abruptly cut off by someone with a very authoritative voice.
"Jacob," the voice commanded, "think of the legends your father has told at many bonfires. Think of the history of our people. Think of the Spirit Warriors, of Taha Aki."
Right. I've been left in the woods naked, by a dead spirit. Good times.
"Concentrate, Jacob." I felt like I was in school trying to give a book report.
"Um, Taha Aki was the leader of the Spirit Warriors. He, uh, called the Great Wolf to try to save his tribe from Utlapa, who had tricked his way into being Chief. He asked to share the Wolf's body, sang some tribal songs and saved the day." That sounded right. Well, it sounded more impressive when Billy told it, but I think I got the gist of it across.
"What else Jacob, what happened after?" the voice asked. Clearly the voice didn't think I got the gist of it across.
"Who are you? Why won't you answer my ques..." The voice cut me off again.
"Jacob Black, what happened next?" he boomed.
"Dude, you are worse than Mrs. Everett," I sighed. "Fine, some Cold Ones came, and Taha Aki's sons died trying to kill them. Taha Aki was so pissed he became the Wolf again. His Third Wife stabbed herself or something to distract the Cold One so Taha Aki could kill it." I definitely lacked the story telling grace my father possessed.
Leaves bristled to my left, and I turned my head to see two enormous wolves coming towards me. One wolf was gray with black spots. The other wolf was midnight black, I could barely make him out in the dark, and he was huge. Well they were both huge, at least they were from my vantage point of lying on the ground.
Fuck my life.
"Embry," I called out. "Dude, you may either want to wake me up or get my dad's gun and save me from some giant wolves." I would have guessed that this was the most fucked up dream I ever had, but I had hurt too much for me to be asleep. "So yeah, get your ass out here, and help me." I looked around for any sign that my friend was going to barge in and save me.
So much for that I'll be damned if I'm going to be eaten by wolves lying down. Time to stand up and kick some wolf ass.
I dragged myself off my side and tried to stand. I couldn't seem to make it past being on all fours. Except that once I was on all fours, the wolves didn't look so big anymore. I looked between the two of them, and they had made no sign of any aggressive behaviour. In fact, it looked like the gray one was wagging its tail.
"We're not going to eat you Jacob." Embry laughed. "In fact, look down."
Why would Embry lump himself in with the wolves?
I looked down at my hands, except my hands weren't there. In their place were giant wolf paws. They were a reddish brown colour, with tufts of fur between the toes. And they were massive. I stuck my head between my arms (well legs attached to paws now) and looked along my torso to what I thought would be my body and legs. Nope, turned out all I saw was more fur, furry legs, and a furry tail.
"Okay, now I know I'm dreaming. This is one fucked up dream." I called out to no one in particular. "But I'd really like to wake up now, so I'll just be on my way." I turned to walk away but was stopped dead in my tracks.
"Jacob, wait." A deep voice called out to me, and I had to obey it. I had fully intended on literally high tailing it out of the woods, and then I froze. "Jacob, this is Sam Uley. The legends are true. We are the same Spirit Warriors as our ancestors, and we have been called to protect our people from the Cold Ones." The large black wolf calmly stalked over to me, and stopped right in front of me.
"Um," was all I could come up with. The smaller gray wolf trotted up beside the black one.
"Jake, it's me, Embry. I know it's a lot to take in buddy, but Sam's right. The stories are true. We're Giant Morphing Werewolf Rangers!" he sang like the Power Rangers theme song. Then he went up on his back haunches and started punching the air, but as a wolf it just looked wrong. So wrong.
"Jesus, Embry!" Sam shouted. "We are not Power Rangers, so stop that!" Embry fell back onto all four limbs.
It was ridiculous. There was no way any of it could be true. But the legends came from somewhere. And it would explain why Embry was suddenly hanging out with Sam.
"The pain?" I asked.
"It should be mostly gone now," Sam chuckled softly. "You only feel the pain the first time you phase."
"So how do I turn back?" I asked. I was seriously tired, and needed to go back to sleep. I wanted to wake up and have this all be a bizarre dream. "Wait? How are we talking?" I suddenly realised that through this entire exchange, no mouths (or muzzles) had moved.
"Telepathy!" Embry crowed. "We can speak in our minds when we're wolves. Cool huh?" I saw the black wolf rolls his eyes at the grey wolf.
"Yes," Sam continued calmly, "having one pack mind makes it's easier for us to coordinate a hunt. So we can read each other's thoughts while in wolf form." He hesitated before continuing. "As for changing back, that may require some time and practise for you. You need to find the heat inside you and calm yourself, centering the heat deep within you.
He sounded like a yoga instructor.
"I've never taught yoga Jake. I'm just trying to help you change back." The black wolf rolled his eyes again, this time at me.
Ah shit, he heard me. Right, mind reading.
"Right, sorry Sam." I dipped my giant wolf head at him.
"I must say Jacob, you are remarkably calm considering everything we've told you. Most have reacted, well, not as composed as you. I don't even want to think about how Paul was bef..."
"What?" I interrupted. "There are more?" I briefly thought about Sam's gang. "Let me guess, Paul and Jared?"
"Again, Jacob. Well done." Sam nodded appreciatively. "Why don't you try to phase back, and we can talk about this more?" he suggested. "But don't be discouraged if you can't do it at first. It took us all awhile."
Right, the heat thing.
"Embry," Sam commanded, "phase out and then back in again so Jacob can see what it feels like." Embry did as he was told, and I felt a warm ripple in the air around me as he phased back to his human form. I felt it again as he came back to wolf rom.
I closed my eyes and focused myself on finding the inner heat, as Sam had suggested. At first, I thought it was impossible because everything felt hot. Then I found it. There was a warmth that I contracted in from my skin (well fur), through my spine, to a point opposite my belly button. I felt the ripple, and found myself sitting on the forest floor, human, and as naked as the day I was born. Someone threw a pair of cut off shorts at my head. I pulled them up as Sam and Embry appeared again, but in human form.
"Dude!" Embry cried. "That was epic! You're a total natural at this. It took me twelve hours to phase back with Sam, Jared and Paul all showing me like a gazillion times." He joyfully patted my back as we walked back to the Rez. I didn't quite share his enthusiasm.
"Awesome. I'm a natural at turning into a giant wolf and back again. Why wouldn't I be pumped?" I said sarcastically as we reached the edge of the tree line. Paul and Jared, in human form, were waiting for us there. Paul had his eyebrow arched looking at Sam in question.
"There are many things about Jacob's transformation that differ from our own. I think it best if we head inside to talk about everything." Sam led the way to Emily's house. Despite the hour of night, I could smell something incredible coming from her house. Evidently I wasn't the only one as Jared, Paul and Embry broke out into a run to get there first.
We entered Emily's small house to the smell of freshly baked muffins. Emily was in the kitchen, filling up more cups with muffin mix. Sam walked over to her and gently traced her scars with kisses, until he kissed her fully on the mouth.
Everyone on the Rez knew about the Sam/Leah/Emily drama, it was common gossip. Sam and Leah had been high school sweethearts, until one day Emily; who was Leah's cousin, came to visit. Sam broke up with Leah and then pursued Emily. Emily was horrified, and basically told Sam to get lost. He followed her everywhere like a lost puppy. Then he saved her from some bear that had mauled her, and they had been together ever since.
I looked closely at her scars, and realised that it wasn't the bear that had attacked her, but a wolf. I felt sick. Seriously sick. I knew I turned green because Emily looked at me rather concerned.
"Jacob, have something to eat. You'll feel better in a bit." She offered me the plate full of muffins, and smacked the others with a wooden spoon when they tried to take one. "This has been a rough night for Jake," she admonished, "he's going to need these muffins more than you."
Embry snorted.
"Not our Jake, he's a prostar," he bragged. "He phased after being shown once, set a new wolf record." He shoved a whole muffin in his mouth after that statement. Sam nodded in agreement and ushered everyone into the living room.
"Jacob, what you have to understand is that we all had very different experiences than you did this evening." Sam sat down on an old leather recliner, but leaned forward to look at me directly. "The rest of us were in bed with a fever for a few days before we changed. Our changes were a direct result of us becoming angry, or losing our temper." He not so subtly eyed Paul at the same time he said 'temper'. Paul snorted in response.
"So why did I change then? I was having a great night, and I felt fine until Embry started pulling me outside." Well that part wasn't exactly true. I had started to feel sick when I saw Bella dancing with her friend. Embry and Sam exchanged a look, then Sam sighed and addressed me directly again.
"We have a few different theories on that," he hedged. "But before we get into the how's and why's, we'd like to talk to you about our purpose, patrols, secrecy, things like that. The five of us spent the next three hours talking about their experiences with 'phasing' as they called it. They explained that I would be stronger than I was before, and have a heightened sense of sight and smell. Sam laid out a patrol schedule and clarified what was our land, and what to look out for. We discussed the need for keeping this a secret from everyone. I was lucky that my father was on the council. He not only knew about this, but had been expecting me to change.
Sam got up and shuffled everyone outside.
"Jake, we have some more information, but I think Emily would prefer if we discussed this outside." He quickly shut the door to the cottage, and led us back towards the woods. "In your first few weeks, you'll find that your emotions may be...volatile. Sometimes you may find yourself shaking, this means you are on the verge of phasing. Try to either calm down, get outside, but most importantly get out of sight." We made our way back into the forest, back into the clearing I woke up in last night.
Sam and the others arranged themselves in a loose semi-circle around me. Their stance suggested that they were acting defensively, almost as if they expected me to phase at any moment. To be honest, I wasn't feeling overly emotional, but I was extremely tired. All I wanted to do was pass out in my bed.
Sam nodded to the other three, who promptly ran behind the bushes and returned as wolves.
"Jake, I've asked the others to phase as we have one more thing to discuss, and I don't think you'll like it. I'll be amazed if you don't phase after we tell you." He looked me directly in the eye, but held his head at an angle that came across as sympathetic. He hesitated before proceeding.
"As you know we have a treaty with a group of Cold Ones that claim to not hunt people, recognized by their yellow eyes." Sam shifted his weight to his other leg before proceeding, he seemed unusually anxious. He paused, as if unsure on how to continue.
"Sam, just spit it out. You're making me edgy and I just want to finish this up so I can get some sleep." I grumbled. Sam squared his shoulders.
"Our treaty is with the Cullens. The same Cullens that are friends with Bella. Now you see why I questioned you about the party, and her involvement with them." He paused to let me consider that before continuing. "You should also know that after being at the dance, Embry is pretty sure that one of the leeches has a thing for Bella."
I let that sink in for a few minutes.
"So let me get this straight. My tiny girlfriend is not only friends with blood sucking leeches, but one of them wants to bone her?" I chuckled. Then I let out a huge guffaw, and held my sides. Sam looked at me like I had grown three extra heads. Tears streamed down my face. "Nice try guys. Hilarious initiation prank." I walked over and patted Embry on the head. "Seriously though, I'm still not sure if I believe this wolf business, let alone Bella partying it up with vamps." I shook my head and wiped the tears of my face. Embry nudged his nose into my ribs and pushed me back into the middle of the clearing.
"Jake, this isn't a joke. We need to figure out some way to warn Bella of the danger she is in without violating our side of the treaty. We can't start a supernatural war over your girlfriend, but I don't want to see her get hurt." His eyes shimmered on his last word, and I knew he was thinking of Emily.
"You're serious?" I asked.
"This isn't something I would joke about." Sam replied.
"She's in danger?" I couldn't bear to think of anything happening to Bella.
"More so now that one wants her as a mate."
I exploded into a giant ball of fur.
