Prologue
After The reception of Edward and Bella’s wedding.
My mind reeled as Sam and the pack marched me back toward the reservation. How could she be so stupid? How could he be so stupid? She would die. Edward would kill her! Bella - my whole reason for living was going to be killed just because a stupid blood sucking vampire wouldn’t keep it in his pants! God! Why did he have to give her everything she wanted? …. And ... Sam didn’t even give a rats arse. He said it was out of our hands. How can it be out of our hands? We were supposed to protect humans. But no, I thought sarcastically -- with the pact in place after defeating the new borns together with the Cullens, Sam was happy to let Bella and Edward make their own choices. I could feel my body shaking, wanting to phase, but I needed to control it so the pack couldn’t hear what I planned to do. I wasn’t sticking around. I couldn’t live here knowing that she was probably going to die. I needed to get out of here and never come back. There were just too many memories. She is my best friend and I love her. If only HE had just never come back!
Back at the cottage, I packed a few things and left a note for Dad. I knew he would still be at the wedding but Edward had probably told him what had happened so I needed to get out of here. I jumped on my bike and drove not really knowing where I was headed. I just wanted to get out of there.
I was nearly two miles out from home and saw them. Dammit, why couldn’t they just leave me alone? The wolf forms of Jarod and Paul, and Sam standing human in the middle of the road. There was no point trying to ride past them, they could run faster than my bike in wolf form. I guess I was just going to have to have it out with Sam. I pulled off to the side of the road and immediately started yelling at Sam as the four of us moved behind some trees -- no point letting passing cars see giant wolves.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I shouted, the anger and hurt in my voice was palpable.
“You know I can’t do that Jacob. Running away is not the answer.”
“I don’t want to be around here with her gone. Just let me go.” I looked at Sam practically pleading.
“Not going to happen.”
“What?” I asked incredulously. “Is that an Alpha order?”
“I don’t want to Jacob, but yes it will be if you force the issue. You’ve got responsibilities here. There’s the pack for one and the protection of our people, not to mention Billy. You’ll break his heart like the last time you did this. Jacob -- he really suffered.”
“Don’t -- Don’t you dare use my father to manipulate me. I know it will hurt him, but he’ll hurt more seeing me here hurting. Plus he’s got Rachel back. He’ll be fine. I’ll keep in contact with him. And as for the pack -- you’ve got a big enough pack to take down any vampires -- and with the truce with the Cullens I’m sure you both will be able to back each other up,” I said angrily, disgusted at the fact Sam was siding with the Cullens on this whole Bella issue. I could feel myself starting to shake again -- the anger and frustration seeping through me. I couldn’t phase though, I had only packed a few clothes! I inwardly rolled my eyes and tried to slow my breathing. Jared and Paul, flanking Sam began to growl ready to protect their Alpha but Sam waved them down.
“Jacob, I’m not trying to manipulate you. Bella has made her choice and you need to get over that. Come on, you can’t run away every time things don’t go down the way you want them. You’re acting like a kid.” His tone was annoyingly calm.
“I’m not acting like a kid. I want out. You know I’ve never been happy about being a wolf. I want out of the pack and to be away from everything and start again on my own. You’re right she has made her choice and I’m doing exactly the same.”
“Jacob, you know that’s not how this works. Don’t make me do this.”
“No Sam. You don’t do this. I’m leaving.” I started to walk back to my bike.
“Jacob you will not leave. That’s an order,” Sam said to my back, the Alpha timber resonating in his tone.
I stopped. I felt the pull of the Alpha command hold me in place. But then I started to feel something different. I didn’t have to take orders from Sam. I turned back around to look at Sam, feeling my body grow and stand over Sam like the chief that I was destined to be. “I am the great-grandson of Ephraim Black,” I growled, “I do not take orders from Sam Uley.” I felt the bonds tying me to Sam and his pack fall away and I knew that I was free. I took one last look at Paul and Jared, both waiting to pounce with one nod from Sam and then looked again at Sam. “Good bye!” I said with finality. I stalked back to my bike, angry that it had come to that, but elated that I had found some sense of freedom. Acknowledging my Alpha right was not something I had wanted, but if that was what it took to get out, I guess I would have to accept those consequences. I was out of here.
I jumped on my bike and headed North on the 101 escaping everything that reminded me of Bella - escaping La Push, escaping Forks - escaping Washington.
