 talking all day.

Allday ? I blinked and looked at the windows again.

You had a long night, he said reassuringly. Youd earned a day in bed.

I sat up, and my head spun. The lightwas coming in my window from the west. Wow.

Hungry? he guessed. Do you want breakfast in bed?

Ill get it, I groaned, stretching again. I need to get up and move around.

He held my hand on the way to the kitchen, eyeing me carefully, like I might fall over. Or maybe he thought I was sleepwalking.

I kept it simple, throwing a couple of Pop-Tarts in the toaster. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflective chrome.

Ugh, Im a mess.

It was a long night, he said again. You should have stayed here and slept.

Right! And missedeverything . You know, you need to start accepting the fact that Im part of the family now.

He smiled. I could probably get used to that idea.

I sat down with my breakfast, and he sat next to me. When I lifted the Pop-Tart to take the first bite, I noticed him staring at my hand. I looked down, and saw that I was still wearing the gift that Jacob had given me at the party.

May I? he asked, reaching for the tiny wooden wolf.

I swallowed noisily. Um, sure.

He moved his hand under the charm bracelet and balanced the little figurine in his snowy palm. For a fleeting moment, I was afraid. Just the slightest twist of his fingers could crush it into splinters.

But of course Edward wouldnt do that. I was embarrassed Id even had the thought. He only weighed the wolf in his palm for a moment, and then let it fall. It swung lightly from my wrist.

I tried to read the expression in his eyes. All I could see was thoughtfulness; he kept everything else hidden, if therewas anything else.

Jacob Black can give you presents.

It wasnt a question, or an accusation. Just a statement of fact. But I knew he was referring to my last birthday and the fit Id thrown over gifts; I hadnt wanted any. Especially not from Edward. It wasnt entirely logical, and, of course, everyone had ignored me anyway. . . .

Youve given me presents, I reminded him. You know I like the homemade kind.

He pursed his lips for a second. How about hand-me-downs? Are those acceptable?

What do you mean?

This bracelet. His finger traced a circle around my wrist. Youll be wearing this a lot?

I shrugged.

Because you wouldnt want to hurt his feelings, he suggested shrewdly.

Sure, I guess so.

Dont you think its fair, then, he asked, looking down at my hand as he spoke. He turned it palm up, and ran his finger along the veins in my wrist. If I have a little representation?

Representation?

A charm  something to keepme on your mind.

Youre in every thought I have. I dont need reminders.

If I gave you something, would you wear it? he pressed.

A hand-me-down? I checked.

Yes, something Ive had for a while. He smiled his angels smile.

If this was the only reaction to Jacobs gift, I would take it gladly. Whatever makes you happy.

Have you noticed the inequality? he asked, and his voice turned accusing. Because I certainly have.

What inequality?

His eyes narrowed. Everyone else is able to get away with giving you things. Everyone but me. I would have loved to get you a graduation present, but I didnt. I knew it would have upset you more than if anyone else did. Thats utterly unfair. How do you explain yourself?

Easy. I shrugged. Youre more important than everyone else. And youve given meyou . Thats already more than I deserve, and anything else you give me just throws us more out of balance.

He processed that for a moment, and then rolled his eyes. The way you regard me is ludicrous.

I chewed my breakfast calmly. I knew he wouldnt listen if I told him that he had that backward.

Edwards phone buzzed.

He looked at the number before he opened it. What is it, Alice?

He listened, and I waited for his reaction, suddenly nervous. But whatever she said didnt surprise him. He sighed a few times.

I sort of guessed as much, he told her, staring into my eyes, a disapproving arch to his brow. She was talking in her sleep.

I flushed. What had I said now?

Ill take care of it, he promised.

He glared at me as he shut his phone. Is there something youd like to talk to me about?

I deliberated for a moment. Given Alices warning last night, I could guess why shed called. And then remembering the troubled dreams Id had as Id slept through the day  dreams where I chased after Jasper, trying to follow him and find the clearing in the maze-like woods, knowing I would find Edward there . . . Edward, and the monsters who wanted to kill me, but not caring about them because Id already made my decision  I could also guess what Edward had overheard while Id slept.

I pursed my lips for a moment, not quite able to meet his gaze. He waited.

I like Jaspers idea, I finally said.

He groaned.

I want to help. I have to dosomething,  I insisted.

It wouldnt help to have you in danger.

Jasper thinks it would. This ishis area of expertise.

Edward glowered at me.

You cant keep me away, I threatened. Im not going to hide out in the forest while you all take risks for me.

Suddenly, he was fighting a smile. Alice doesnt see youin the clearing, Bella. She sees you stumbling around lost in the woods. You wont be able to find us; youll just make it more time consuming for me to find you afterward.

I tried to keep as cool as he was. Thats because Alice didnt factor in Seth Clearwater, I said politely. If she had, of course, she wouldnt have been able to see anything at all. But it sounds like Seth wants to be there as much as I do. It shouldnt be too hard to persuade him to show me the way.

Anger flickered across his face, and then he took a deep breath and composed himself. That might have worked . . . if you hadnt told me. Now Ill just ask Sam to give Seth certain orders. Much as he might want to, Seth wont be able to ignore that kind of injunction.

I kept my smile pleasant. But why would Sam give those orders? If I tell him how it would help for me to be there? Ill bet Sam would rather do me a favor than you.

He had to compose himself again. Maybe youre right. But Im sure Jacob would be only too eager to give those same orders.

I frowned. Jacob?

Jacob is second in command. Did he never tell you that? His orders have to be followed, too.

He had me, and by his smile, he knew it. My forehead crumpled. Jacob would be on his side  in this one instance  I was sure. And Jacob neverhad told me that.

Edward took advantage of the fact that I was momentarily stumped, continuing in a suspiciously smooth and soothing voice.

I got a fascinating look into the packs mind last night. It was better than a soap opera. I had no idea how complex the dynamic is with such a large pack. The pull of the individual against the plural psyche . . . Absolutely fascinating.

He was obviously trying to distract me. I glared at him.

Jacobs been keeping a lot of secrets, he said with a grin.

I didnt answer, I just kept glaring, holding on to my argument and waiting for an opening.

For instance, did you note the smaller gray wolf there last night?

I nodded one stiff nod.

He chuckled. They take all of their legends so seriously. It turns out there are things that none of their stories prepared them for.

I sighed. Okay, Ill bite. What are you talking about?

They always accepted without question that it was only the direct grandsons of the original wolf who had the power to transform.

So someone changed who wasnt a direct descendant?

No. Shes a direct descendant, all right.

I blinked, and my eyes widened.She?

He nodded. She knows you. Her name is Leah Clearwater.

Leahs a werewolf! I shrieked. What? For how long? Why didnt Jacob tell me?

There are things he wasnt allowed to share  their numbers, for instance. Like I said before, when Sam gives an order, the p