. TEMPER

WE ENDED UP ON THE BEACH AGAIN, WANDERING AIMlessly. Jacob was still full of himself for engineering my escape.

Do you think theyll come looking for you? he asked, sounding hopeful.

No. I was certain about that. Theyre going to be furious with me tonight, though.

He picked up a rock and chucked it into the waves. Dont go back, then, he suggested again.

Charlie would love that, I said sarcastically.

I bet he wouldnt mind.

I didnt answer. Jacob was probably right, and that made me grind my teeth together. Charlies blatant preference for my Quileute friends was so unfair. I wondered if he would feel the same if he knew the choice was really between vampires and werewolves.

So whats the latest pack scandal? I asked lightly.

Jacob skidded to a halt, and he stared down at me with shocked eyes.

What? That was a joke.

Oh. He looked away.

I waited for him to start walking again, but he seemed lost in thought.

Isthere a scandal? I wondered.

Jacob chuckled once. I forget what its like, not having everyone know everything all the time. Having a quiet, private place inside my head.

We walked along the stony beach quietly for a few minutes.

So what is it? I finally asked. That everyone in your head already knows?

He hesitated for a moment, as if he werent sure how much he was going to tell me. Then he sighed and said, Quil imprinted. Thats three now. The rest of us are starting to get worried. Maybe its more common than the stories say. . . . He frowned, and then turned to stare at me. He gazed into my eyes without speaking, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

What are you staring at? I asked, feeling self-conscious.

He sighed. Nothing.

Jacob started walking again. Without seeming to think about it, he reached out and took my hand. We paced silently across the rocks.

I thought of how we must look walking hand and hand down the beach  like a couple, certainly  and wondered if I should object. But this was the way it had always been with Jacob. . . . No reason to get worked up about it now.

Why is Quils imprinting such a scandal? I asked when it didnt look like he was going to go on. Is it because hes the newest one?

That doesnt have anything to do with it.

Then whats the problem?

Its another one of those legend things. I wonder when were going to stop being surprised that theyreall true? he muttered to himself.

Are you going to tell me? Or do I have to guess?

Youd never get it right. See, Quil hasnt been hanging out with us, you know, until just recently. So he hadnt been around Emilys place much.

Quil imprinted on Emily, too? I gasped.

No! I told you not to guess. Emily had her two nieces down for a visit . . . and Quil met Claire.

He didnt continue. I thought about that for a moment.

Emily doesnt want her niece with a werewolf? Thats a little hypocritical, I said.

But I could understand why she of all people might feel that way. I thought again of the long scars that marred her face and extended all the way down her right arm. Sam had lost control just once when he was standing too close to her. Once was all it took. . . . Id seen the pain in Sams eyes when he looked at what hed done to Emily. I could understand why Emily might want to protect her niece from that.

Would you please stop guessing? Youre way off. Emily doesnt mind that part, its just, well, a little early.

What do you meanearly ?

Jacob appraised me with narrowed eyes. Try not to be judgmental, okay?

I nodded cautiously.

Claire is two, Jacob told me.

Rain started to fall. I blinked furiously as the drops pelted my face.

Jacob waited in silence. He wore no jacket, as usual; the rain left a spatter of dark spots on his black T-shirt, and dripped through his shaggy hair. His face was expressionless as he watched mine.

Quil . . . imprinted . . . with atwo-year-old ? I was finally able to ask.

It happens. Jacob shrugged. He bent to grab another rock and sent it flying out into the bay. Or so the stories say.

But shes a baby, I protested.

He looked at me with dark amusement. Quils not getting any older, he reminded me, a bit of acid in his tone. Hell just have to be patient for a few decades.

I . . . dont know what to say.

I was trying my hardest not to be critical, but, in truth, I was horrified. Until now, nothing about the werewolves had bothered me since the day Id found out they werent committing the murders Id suspected them of.

Youre making judgments, he accused. I can see it on your face.

Sorry, I muttered. But it sounds really creepy.

Its not like that; youve got it all wrong, Jacob defended his friend, suddenly vehement. Ive seen what its like, through his eyes. Theres nothingromantic about it at all, not for Quil, not now. He took a deep breath, frustrated. Its so hard to describe. Its not like love at first sight, really. Its more like . . . gravity moves. When you seeher, suddenly its not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her. And you would do anything for her, be anything for her. . . . You become whatever she needs you to be, whether thats a protector, or a lover, or a friend, or a brother.

Quil will be the best, kindest big brother any kid ever had. There isnt a toddler on the planet that will be more carefully looked after than that little girl will be. And then, when shes older and needs a friend, hell be more understanding, trustworthy, and reliable than anyone else she knows. And then, when shes grown up, theyll be as happy as Emily and Sam. A strange, bitter edge sharpened his tone at the very end, when he spoke of Sam.

Doesnt Claire get a choice here?

Of course. But why wouldnt she choose him, in the end? Hell be her perfect match. Like he was designed for her alone.

We walked in silence for a moment, till I paused to toss a rock toward the ocean. It fell to the beach several meters short. Jacob laughed at me.

We cant all be freakishly strong, I muttered.

He sighed.

When do you think it will happen for you? I asked quietly.

His answer was flat and immediate. Never.

Its not something you can control, is it?

He was silent for a few minutes. Unconsciously, we both walked slower, barely moving at all.

Its not supposed to be, he admitted. But you have tosee her  the one thats supposedly meant for you.

And you think that if you havent seen her yet, then shes not out there? I asked skeptically. Jacob, you havent really seen much of the world  less than me, even.

No, I havent, he said in a low voice. He looked at my face with suddenly piercing eyes. But Ill never see anyone else, Bella. I only see you. Even when I close my eyes and try to see something else. Ask Quil or Embry. It drives them all crazy.

I dropped my eyes to the rocks.

We werent walking anymore. The only sound was of the waves beating against the shore. I couldnt hear the rain over their roar.

Maybe Id better go home, I whispered.

No! he protested, surprised by this conclusion.

I looked up at him again, and his eyes were anxious now.

You have the whole day off, right? The bloodsucker wont be home yet.

I glared at him.

No offense intended, he said quickly.

Yes, I have the whole day. But, Jake . . .

He held up his hands. Sorry, he apologized. I wont be like that anymore. Ill just be Jacob.

I sighed. But if thats what yourethinking . . .

Dont worry about me, he insisted, smiling with deliberate cheer, too brightly. I know what Im doing. Just tell me if Im upsetting you.

I dont know. . . .

Cmon, Bella. Lets go back to the house and get our bikes. Youve got to ride a motorcycle regularly to keep it in tune.

I really dont think Im allowed.

By who? Charlie or the blood  orhim ?

Both.

Jacob grinnedmy grin, and he was suddenly the Jacob I missed the most, sunny and warm.

I couldnt help grinning back.

T