Jacob

Jake drove me home in my truck. He said he could walk back to the reserve and I knew that he meant to change into a wolf and trot back. I didn’t like the dark anymore so I was glad of the company. Edward was out there somewhere in the dark and as much as I hated to admit it, I was a little afraid of him now. I was afraid of his anger.

We pulled into the driveway and I noticed that my dad’s car wasn’t there; he was working late, again. I hesitated to get out, but found that I couldn’t look at Jake. He wasn’t talking a lot, but he was being nice. I didn’t deserve him.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at eight,” he said.

“For what?” I asked, surprised. I looked at him and he had a funny smile on his face.

“School,” he said.

“Billy talked to your dad and you’ve been transferred to the reservation school so you won’t have to go back to a million questions and no friends. Technically, you have to be a native to go, but they’ve made an exception for you, since your situation is... unique. A member of the pack is on the school board.”

I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t been planning on going back to my old high school... I was going to take some summer courses online instead. “But they don’t like me on the reserve,” I said, biting my lip.

“They’ll get over it,” he smiled. “It’ll be okay. The guys in the pack will be nice to you.”

“I don‘t know,” I said, carefully. “I’ll try it for one day, okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed. I reached for the handle on the door of the truck, but his hand closed over my arm and I felt him move closer. “Bells,” he said. Was it my imagination or did he sound nervous? I turned to look at him. “I’m glad you came back,” he said. He looked me right in the eyes and I knew he meant it.

“I’m so sorry, Jacob,” I choked as my eyes got wet. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t know why I was so awful and stupid. I didn’t mean to be.”

Jacob’s face softened and he pulled his shirt sleeve over his hand to dry my eyes. “Don’t cry, Bells,” he said, gently. “It wasn’t your fault. Edward was messing with your head.”

“Don’t say his name,” I sniffled, shivering slightly. “I don’t ever want to hear it again. It makes me feel sick and cold.” Jacob sighed and reached for his door handle.

“It’ll pass,” he said. “It can take a long time for their poison to wear off their victim.”

I reached for his him quickly, not wanting him to move away from me. I wanted him to stay until my dad got home. I wanted him to check my room for monsters. I wanted him to hug me. I knew he’d do it all for me, but I was too afraid to ask. Jacob gently pulled his big arm out of my death-grip and put it around my shoulders, pulling me toward his door. I reached for him and wrapped my fingers in the front of his plaid shirt as he guided me out of the truck and walked me to the house. His lips ghosted over my temple as I fumbled with my key, unable to get it into the lock. I could have let go of his shirt, but I was scared to let him go. A big, darker-skinned hand took the key ring from me and unlocked the door. Jacob locked the door behind us, then swept me up in his arms and carried me up to my room where he set my feet back down on the floor. I felt sick inside, but his touch soothed me deep inside and made the hurt and shame go away.

“You’re safe in your house,” he said. Jake took my hand and led me to the window. He opened it a crack and let out a sharp whistle. After a moment a something big moved into the lawn below... a dog... no, a wolf... a werewolf. Jacob waved as if he knew who it was and the wolf turned and walked back into the trees. “See?” he said. “We’re protecting you. The vampires will never get near you again, now that the wolves have you back.” His chest puffed with pride.

“Will you stay until Dad gets home?” I asked, afraid that he’d say no.

“Sure,” Jake nodded and smiled. “Remember when we used to have sleepovers when we were little?” I smiled. I loved those. “Go and put your pyjamas on,” he chuckled as he settled himself down on the chair in the corner of my room.

“Promise you won’t leave?” I asked, suddenly afraid that he would as soon as I stepped into the bathroom.

“I promise, Bells,” he said.