Authors Note: Just a lil' reminder that I keep my profile updated with my posting schedule ;)

(Bella)

My sleep was restless that night, I was so filled with anticipation. Seeing Jacob again, being with him again, I practically counted the minutes until early morning came. It was reckless, I knew it was. It was selfish, I knew that, too. The Cullens, Alice, the monster, there was no way to deny that I was endangering Jacob, just by being his friend. For feeling for him the way that I did. I couldn't protect him, I could never protect him. But he has a pack now. Maybe… maybe I could afford this one selfish act, enjoying what little time I had left before….

I dispelled the thoughts that consumed my brain. No, not today. I tried my best to clear my mind so I could finish my morning routine and rush out to my truck. I climbed down the stairs and made my way to the tiny kitchen and noticed that Charlie had apparently made it home early this morning, the pan of mac 'n' cheese had been covered and placed in the fridge and the dishes had been cleaned and placed in the rack to dry, the coffee pot had been set and was still on, keeping the precious liquid inside steaming. I took a moment to indulge in the scent before I poured myself a thermos and snatched up my truck keys, locked the front door of the house and ran out to my Chevy.

The sun had just finished rising as I made the too long drive to the reservation. The sight of the familiar houses and buildings filled me with long forgotten emotions. Excitement, contentment, joy. Before long I finally made my way to the path that led to the beach of La Push. As I climbed down from the cab of my truck, Jacob came running over to me from beyond the tree line, he snagged me up in a tight hug and spun me around. Breathless, I giggled and held on just as tight. Finally, he sat me down on my feet.

"I was beginning to think you weren't actually going to come."

"Have I ever not answered when summoned?" I teased him, a smile on my face for the first time in far too long.

He chuckled and took my hand in his as we began our trek through the path, then to the beach. For a long time, neither of us said a word, far too content to be together again.

Finally I broke the silence.

"So, how much trouble are you in?"

"Not sure yet, I made sure not to phase after my visit."

"Phase? You mean, like, wolf out? You can control that?"

He chuckled. "Somewhat, I'm better at it than the rest so far, but it's still volatile."

"So why didn't you? Does it hurt?"

"The first time, like you wouldn't believe, not so much afterwards. And I couldn't risk anyone hearing about our conversation until I was ready to confront them about it myself."

Hearing about it? "They'll be that mad?"

He sighed. "You really don't know the half of it."

We reached our special piece of white driftwood, our favorite hang out spot. We both sat down and looked out over the turning water of the ocean for a time, the morning sky was surprisingly clear for Forks, causing a mesmerizing contrast of blue between sea and sky. After a moment, I broke the silence once more.

"You mentioned another secret, are you able to tell me now?"

His expression looked pained.

"No, I wish a thousand times I could, but I can't. There's a lot I wish I could tell you, Bella, but I just can't."

My voice was a quiet whisper. "Is it really that bad?"

He sighed in frustration. "It made everything… a lot more complicated. I hate that it happened, that I… I can't tell you how I feel anymore. About you."

I was taken aback. "Are you forbidden from seeing me?"

His hands shook, he held them together to steady them.

"Yes- and no. I'm- Damnit!" He paused and took a few deep breaths. I quietly watched him, not sure if reaching out for him would make it better or worse.

"I just- I just wish it had been me." He muttered under his breath, defeated?

"Jake-"

"I'm okay now, I promise, Bells. It's just. It's frustrating." His tremors had subsided, he continued to take deep, cleansing breaths. I reached out for him, and placed my hand on his forearm, then to his hand.

"I'm here Jake, I always will be." My heart broke with the lie. Stay in the moment, stay in the moment….

"I know, Bells, I- shit!" He turned his head and cursed, then stood up and placed some distance between us, his tremors returned.

"Jacob?"

"I'm being summoned, I'm sorry Bells, I- I can't ignore it- wait here, okay?"

Before I could say or do anything he took off running into the treeline, ripping off his shirt as he did so. I averted my gaze in embarrassment, distracting myself by wondering why he would need to strip for a meeting. Minutes passed as I quietly sat alone on the driftwood, admiring the seaside. Basking in the gentle ocean breeze on my skin, the slight smell of salt in the air. Finally Jake came back to the makeshift bench, clothed this time. I turned to him in curiosity.

"Sam's calling all of us. He wants to have a… talk. I'm bringing you with me. If you want, I mean." He amended as he ran a hand through his long hair.

"Is Sam okay with that?"

"Probably not, but I'm doing it anyway."

"Okay, I'm game. Let's go." I stood and began to follow him but then stopped. "Wait, where?"

"Not too far from here, it should only take about half an hour, I'll show you the way if you want to drive."

"Sure, no problem."

We made the trek back to where I parked my Chevy, I climbed in the driver's side and Jacob climbed into the passenger's. It didn't take me long to find where we were supposed to go with Jacob's directions. He was right, after about half an hour of driving and a short ten minute walk, we came to the designated area. Up ahead, standing in a small clearing surrounded by wilderness was a group of men. I recognized Embry, and Sam. They all turned towards us and watched us approach, I felt a sinking feeling in my gut. Of all the men gathered, one stood out among them all, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. He was tall, with russet skin and cropped black hair. He was muscular, like almost everyone else there. He was handsome, or would have been if he relaxed the furious scowl that twisted his features. As we approached, his eyes bore into mine. Eyes dark, deep, familiar. Speckled with… gold? My breath caught in my throat as I instinctively grabbed Jacob's hand, my cowardice coming back. This seemed to incense the man for some reason. Because I'm an outsider? His deep growl could be heard across the entire forest. Jacob stopped short of them and pulled me behind his back, concealing me from the strange man's gaze.

"You fucking told her?!" Another growl ripped from his throat.

"Someone had to." Jacob replied, almost nonchalantly, to anyone who didn't know him as well as I did. I could hear the dare hidden in his words.

"By what fucking right-?!" The handsome stranger demanded as he began to stalk closer.

Sam strode over and intervened.

"You're right to be pissed, Paul-"

"Goddamn right I am!"

"But, it's not the girl's fault. She does have a right to know-"

"She still gets a say in this, too." Jacob spoke up in front of me.

"Jacob- we've talked about this, you know the law-"

"I don't give a damn about the fucking law!"

A quiet hush fell upon the group, I looked around confused, trying to piece together what little bit of information they accidentally let out in front of me.

I peeked around Jacob's shoulder, to Sam, then to the handsome stranger. Sam looked appalled, the stranger- Paul?- looked absolutely enraged.

"You can't mean that, Jacob." Sam finally said after a pause. "You know what that would mean?"

"I do. And I don't care-"

Paul's tremors became violent, to the point that he was literally vibrating. Jacob reached back and shoved me backwards, giving himself more space as his own tremors took over. Before my very eyes they both exploded, just fucking exploded, and in their places stood two giant wolves, silver and russet. I stared in shock as they rushed towards each other all claws and fangs. Sam called out an order to Embry and another stranger to take me to someone named Emily's house. I could hardly tear my eyes away as Embry and the other man helped me to my feet and then guided me away.

"But-! Jacob-?" I protested.

They both laughed.

"They'll be fine, really! You should be more concerned for yourself, you know?" The other stranger laughed as he helped me climb into the cab and helped himself to my truck keys. "Name's Jared, by the way."

"Nice to meet you… Jared." I stammered as Embry took a seat beside me, sandwiching me between both of them in the cab. My once roomy cab suddenly felt like a sardine can.

"So… who's Emily?" I asked, trying to ease my anxiety with distraction. Please be okay Jake….

"She's Sam's… fiance." Embry answered after getting a glare from Jared. "She's a kind woman, terrific cook. Makes the best muffins you've ever tasted."

"What he means is she's a kind woman who looks out for all us idiots." He focused his eyes on the road, to my relief.

"Yeah, she feeds us."

"She does do more than that, you know."

"It's the most important part, though."

"Anyway, you should probably know before we get there, she has a scar, so don't stare at her. And never make a comment about it."

"I'm not that rude."

He chuckled, "Well, good. You shouldn't have any trouble then. I think you'll get along well with her."

"How do you figure that?" I couldn't help but ask, I'd never met Jared before but he talked like he actually knew me somehow.

Jared and Embry exchanged looks over my head.

"Eh, er- Jacob talks about you a lot." Jared finally answered.

My bullshit meter was off the charts, but I didn't want to cause anymore trouble for Jake, so I accepted the explanation. For now.

Finally we arrived and parked in front of a quaint little house, surrounded by lush, vibrant flowers. I couldn't help but stare at it in awe, it was beautiful and oddly nostalgic. It made me think of the pictures of Grandpa and Grandma Swan's house before they died that Charlie kept in the family photo albums. I loved the contrast of the hue of the flowers against the shade of pale blue. The house was painted with white furnishings. I felt overwhelmed with an urge to draw it, perhaps in watercolor, I shook my head. Stop being stupid.

I followed Jared and Embry into the quaint little house as they talked and laughed. The interior was just as nostalgic as the outside, in fact it was even cozier than I had imagined it. I couldn't help but survey my surroundings in interest as I was guided into the kitchen. I could faintly hear the sound of a woman humming to herself, and smelled the sweet, intoxicating scent of chocolate. We entered a small, white kitchen with light blue accents as a beautiful woman stood fussing over a platter of fresh, steaming chocolate chip muffins. She glanced up toward us and offered us a brilliant smile, only marred by the large scar that ran down half of her face. I hesitated only for a heart beat, vaguely wondering the story behind it, before reminding myself that I had a sordid past of violence I wouldn't want to be grilled about, either. I suppressed a shudder as for a moment, just a moment, I fought back the memory, clawing its way to the front of my mind. Breath, Bella, Breath. Not here, Bella, not here.

I was barely aware of my escorts introducing me, I did my best to snap back to the present. To the here, to the now.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Swan." She greeted me. "Would you like a muffin?" She gestured to the platter.

"I would love one." I answered back, hesitant. I didn't want to make a bad first impression. I took the saucer with the giant, warm muffin she'd placed on it gratefully. "Uhm, Bella's okay… if you want, I mean."

Her smile warmed, "I would love that, Bella. I'm glad I can finally place a face with the name-"

"So where's breakfast?" Jared interrupted from his seat at the kitchen table next to Embry, who elbowed him.

"Where's your manners, Jared Cameron? We have a guest! I'm sorry, the boys aren't usually so demanding." She assured me as she turned back to the stove top to tend to a pan of scrambled eggs. "They do take meal time a bit too seriously though!" She filled another already heaping platter with more of the eggs and set it down on the island counter beside the platter of muffins, followed by an overflowing platter of bacon, then fluffy biscuits. I was amazed by the amount of food.

She noticed my expression and laughed.

"Yes, they really do eat that much! It's like feeding a small army. Juice, dear?"

I swallowed my bite of muffin, still amazed. "Yes, please."

She poured me a glass from a carton and handed it to me.

I took a sip. Sweet with pulp. "You have a beautiful house, I admire your use of color. I almost wish I could paint it."

She chuckled. "Thank you, I've heard you're quite the artist! I'd love to hear more about your work, I've been dying of curiosity."

"Oh, uh, well-" I took another sip of juice to hide my blush. "I dabble in several mediums, my favorites are graphite and acrylic paint."

"Oh, that sounds so lovely! What kind of art do you make?"

"Uhm, mostly nature scenes with a paranormal element. I've been called a discount Bob Ross."

She gave a hearty laugh, and my nervousness and anxiety for Jacob eased. I like her.

"I doubt that! I bet you could give him a run for his money! I hope you'll show me some of your work sometime."

"I-uh, I'd love to."

We heard the front door open and someone stormed in. We all turned our heads to see Jacob coming in, he wore a fresh change of clothes and looked almost unharmed, except for numerous scars I knew for a fact he didn't have moments before. I hopped off of the stool and ran up to him, wrapping my arms around him.

"Jake! Are you okay?" I demanded with my face buried in his chest. I barely noticed the sudden silence that encompassed the house.

"Jake?" I lifted my face to meet his eyes, his expression hard to read. After a moment, he wrapped an arm around my waist, returning my embrace.

" 'S okay, Bells." He answered.

Suddenly a giant hand snatched Jacob by his shoulder and pulled him away from me.

"Get your goddamn hands off of her!" Paul seethed.

I stared back at him in confusion. I could only surmise that he was still furious that an outsider knew their secret. For a second our eyes met, and I was vaguely reminded of the silver wolf, from the meadow, from what seemed like an eternity ago. A deep blush colored my cheeks.

He quickly switched his gaze back to Jacob and had brought his fist back to swing when it was caught by Sam.

"Not here, you don't! There are two innocent women here- you both know exactly how this has to end."

"Innocent-?! She's a goddamn-!"

"Don't say something you and I both know you're going to regret." Sam ordered.

I could feel fresh tears fill my eyes as it seemed that all pairs of eyes fell back to me. I didn't know what to do, what to say to make it better. I felt so stupid.

"I- I'm sorry. I- uh, I- I'll leave." I choked back tears as I turned and made an escape through the front door. I ignored the voices that surrounded me as I ran out, I had barely made it to my truck when someone reached out and grabbed me by my arm.

I spun around to find Emily had followed me out.

"I'm so sorry, please- I won't ask you to stay, but, please come visit us again. Please."

Her eyes seemed genuinely pleading. Tears fell from mine. Silently, I nodded. She wrapped me in a warm hug.

"Please drive safely, okay? And remember, come visit me again."