t wasn’t by choice that Jacob found himself sat on the wall waiting for the bloodsucker that had always gotten in the way. He felt like his hand had been forced, and although he was glad – no overjoyed – with Bella’s decision, it had meant the threat that loomed over all of them was greater than he ever imagined. Providing a service to the Cullens at this time not only protected them, the people of Forks and Bella…but it also protected his people. It meant there could be an agreement, something that overrode the treaty allowing him to defend against vampires on Cullen land.

He caught a whiff of Edward before he actually noticed he’d arrived. Stupid stinky vampires, the scent always got into Jake’s head – usually causing him to tense up and feel on edge. Really, he should be feeling that way around Edward regardless…but today he couldn’t muster the energy. He just wanted to get the details smoothed out and move on. He rolled his eyes as Edward kept his distance, because acting that way wasn’t going to make people suspicious of the two of them. Being discreet wasn’t usually Jacob’s thing, but these were exceptional circumstances. He shifted up a bit so the gap between them wasn’t so obvious to the human eye.

Jake frowned, thinking back as to what Bella had and hadn’t said. “She was vague, I got the jist of it…or at least what she thinks might happen, something about the Volturi…I’m guessing the overlords of you lot…” he paused for a moment and looked over to the bloodsucker, “it doesn’t sound good regardless.” He might have been stating the obvious but it was more to inform Edward that he understood the gravity of the situation. Thinking on it for a moment, Jake figured this was as good a time as any, “I’m sorry…you know,” he was, in all honestly. Bella had given him no indication of what her choice was. When she’d left to save him, Jake had been convinced Edward was the only one she wanted. He raised an eyebrow, knowing full well the bloodsucker next to him would pick up on all that. After all, it wasn’t a secret he could read minds.

“This isn’t the time for rash decisions, I want to come to an…agreement.” Jacob turned to face him for the first time since he’d arrived. Replaying in his head the way he’d disbanded from Sams pack, now his own Alpha, would make things easier. “I want to help…I’ll work with you, and your family, to keep everyone safe.” It wasn’t just a promise, it was a fact. He wanted to do whatever it took, no questions asked.

acob waited patiently – which surprised him – most days he didn’t have the patience to hear anyone out. Edward was as he remembered, cold and uncaring it seemed. The guy sat like a freakin’ statue – it was unnerving. He frowned to himself, wondering how it had been such a competition for Bella’s heart…though Bella was a magnet for all things weird, so it kind of made sense. Subconsciously, Jacob wrinkled his nose. He was trying to not let the smell of the vampire get to him, though it was hard. The sickly sweet scent burned his nose slightly – was it even possible that the two of them could work together, especially when the hate between them was so obvious?

The explanation of the ‘Volturi’ guard sent a shiver down Jacob’s spine, “well they sound great,” he sighed reluctantly. It wasn’t like he hadn’t come up against a vampire before – but Laurent had been unprepared…but the Volturi – it sounded like these guys were as bad as they come. “How do we know what move they’re going to make? Is there any way to get the upper hand with them?” It may sound slightly stupid, but Jake wasn’t fully aware of the Cullens gifts…Bella had mentioned Alice’s ability to see the future, but it wasn’t always accurate. He wasn’t keen on the way Edward mentioned the Volturi having these powers…or the way he implied they used them. Inwardly he cringed, this wasn’t going to be a fair fight at all. The shifters knew how to take down a vampire, but ones with powers were going to be different. All of them – Sam included – were going to have to prepare for this. He frowned, this was going to take some convincing Sam…but if it meant keeping everyone safe, was it such a bad thing?

Jacob continued to listen intently has Edward explained further what the Volturi plan to do – collecting vampires? Was that actually a real thing? Rolling his eyes dismissively, Jacob snorted. “That isn’t going to happen, she won’t become one of you,” he spat the words venomously – he didn’t like the idea that once upon a time that had even been an option. He’d watched her for months, acting like the living dead…he couldn’t imagine if it had become a reality. Edward hadn’t seen her become a shadow of herself, emotionless and reckless – not wanting to be a part of this world anymore. So much so she’d thrown herself in with a bunch of werewolves. “What do I need to do?” His voice was firm now, aggressive. He’d already disbanded from Sam – becoming his own Alpha away from the pack. He relayed this in his thoughts, knowing Edward would pick up on it. Even so, Sam would come around eventually, when he knew what the threat was, and how much it would impact everyone involved. Humans, Shifters and Vampires alike.

Turning to face the bloodsucker for what seemed like the first time in a while, Jacob watched his expression. Only now he noticed the purple shadows that lie underneath his eyes, and the withdrawn, worried expression he wore in what seemed to be a constant mask. He shuddered at the thought that he could have been in that position – if Bella had chosen Edward, Jake would have been a broken man. “What does this mean for the people of Forks, for the humans?” He asked the question quietly, not really sure he wanted to know the answer. It was the packs job to protect the people of La Push, but Jake had decidedly taken the responsibility of the people of Forks onto his own shoulders…a great weight pushing down on him.