refuses to respect anyone elses personal space.

I make you nervous. But only when Im human. When Im a wolf, youre more comfortable around me.

Nervousness and irritation are not the same thing.

He stared at me for a minute, slowing to a walk, the amusement draining from his face. His eyes narrowed, turned black in the shadow of his brows. His breathing, so regular as he ran, started to accelerate. Slowly, he leaned his face closer to mine.

I stared him down, knowing exactly what he was trying to do.

Its your face, I reminded him.

He laughed loudly and started jogging again. I dont really want to fight with your vampire tonight  I mean, any other night, sure. But we both have a job to do tomorrow, and I wouldnt want to leave the Cullens one short.

The sudden, unexpected swell of shame distorted my expression.

I know, I know, he responded, not understanding. You think he could take me.

I couldnt speak. I was leaving them one short. What if someone got hurt because I was so weak? But what if I was brave and Edward . . . I couldnt even think it.

Whats the matter with you, Bella? The joking bravado vanished from his face, revealing my Jacob underneath, like pulling a mask away. If something I said upset you, you know I was only kidding. I didnt mean anything  hey, are you okay? Dont cry, Bella, he pled.

I tried to pull myself together. Im not going to cry.

What did I say?

Its nothing you said. Its just, well, its me. I did something . . . bad.

He stared at me, his eyes wide with confusion.

Edward isnt going to fight tomorrow, I whispered the explanation. Im making him stay with me. I am a huge coward.

He frowned. You think this isnt going to work? That theyll find you here? Do you know something I dont know?

No, no. Im not afraid of that. I just . . . Icant let him go. If he didnt come back . . . I shuddered, closing my eyes to escape the thought.

Jacob was quiet.

I kept whispering, my eyes shut. If anyone gets hurt, it will always be my fault. And even if no one does . . . I was horrible. I had to be, to convince him to stay with me.He wont hold it against me, but Ill always know what Im capable of. I felt just a tiny bit better, getting this off my chest. Even if I could only confess it to Jacob.

He snorted. My eyes opened slowly, and I was sad to see that the hard mask was back.

I cant believe he let you talk him out of going. I wouldnt miss this for anything.

I sighed. I know.

That doesnt mean anything, though. He was suddenly backtracking. That doesnt mean that he loves you more than I do.

Butyou wouldnt stay with me, even if I begged.

He pursed his lips for a moment, and I wondered if he would try to deny it. We both knew the truth. Thats only because I know you better, he said at last. Everythings going to go without a hitch. Even if youd asked and Id said no, you wouldnt be mad at me afterwards.

If everything does go without a hitch, youre probably right. I wouldnt be mad. But the whole time youre gone, Ill be sick with worry, Jake. Crazy with it.

Why? he asked gruffly. Why does it matter to you if something happens to me?

Dont say that. You know how much you mean to me. Im sorry its not in the way you want, but thats just how it is. Youre my best friend. At least, you used to be. And still sometimes are . . . when you let your guard down.

He smiled the old smile that I loved. Im always that, he promised. Even when I dont . . . behave as well as I should. Underneath, Im always in here.

I know. Why else would I put up with all of your crap?

He laughed with me, and then his eyes were sad. Whenare you finally going to figure out that youre in love with me, too?

Leave it to you to ruin the moment.

Im not saying you dont love him. Im not stupid. But its possible to love more than one person at a time, Bella. Ive seen it in action.

Im not some freaky werewolf, Jacob.

He wrinkled his nose, and I was about to apologize for that last jab, but he changed the subject.

Were not far now, I can smell him.

I sighed in relief.

He misinterpreted my meaning. Id happily slow down, Bella, but youre going to want to be under shelter beforethat hits.

We both looked up at the sky.

A solid wall of purple-black cloud was racing in from the west, blackening the forest beneath it as it came.

Wow, I muttered. Youd better hurry, Jake. Youll want to get home before it gets here.

Im not going home.

I glared at him, exasperated. Youre not camping with us.

Not technically  as in, sharing your tent or anything. I prefer the storm to the smell. But Im sure your bloodsucker will want to keep in touch with the pack for coordination purposes, and so I will graciously provide that service.

I thought that was Seths job.

Hell take over tomorrow, during the fight.

The reminder silenced me for a second. I stared at him, worry springing up again with sudden fierceness.

I dont suppose theres any way youd just stay since youre already here? I suggested. If Idid beg? Or trade back the lifetime of servitude or something?

Tempting, but no. Then again, the begging might be interesting to see. You can give it a go if you like.

Theres really nothing,nothing at all I can say?

Nope. Not unless you can promise me a better fight. Anyway, Sams calling the shots, not me.

That reminded me.

Edward told me something the other day . . . about you.

He bristled. Its probably a lie.

Oh, really? You arent second in command of the pack, then?

He blinked, his face going blank with surprise. Oh. That.

How come you never told me that?

Why would I? Its no big thing.

I dont know. Why not? Its interesting. So, how does that work? How did Sam end up as the Alpha, and you as the . . . the Beta?

Jacob chuckled at my invented term. Sam was the first, the oldest. It made sense for him to take charge.

I frowned. But shouldnt Jared or Paul be second, then? They were the next to change.

Well . . . its hard to explain, Jacob said evasively.

Try.

He sighed. Its more about the lineage, you know? Sort of old-fashioned. Why should it matter who your grandpa was, right?

I remembered something Jacob had told me a long time ago, before either of us had known anything about werewolves.

Didnt you say that Ephraim Black was the last chief the Quileutes had?

Yeah, thats right. Because he was the Alpha. Did you know that, technically, Sams the chief of the whole tribe now? He laughed. Crazy traditions.

I thought about that for a second, trying to make all the pieces fit. But you also said that people listened to your dad more than anyone else on the council, because he was Ephraims grandson?

What about it?

Well, if its about the lineage . . . shouldnt you be the chief, then?

Jacob didnt answer me. He stared into the darkening forest, as if he suddenly needed to concentrate on where he was going.

Jake?

No. Thats Sams job. He kept his eyes on our pathless course.

Why? His great-granddad was Levi Uley, right? Was Levi an Alpha, too?

Theres only one Alpha, he answered automatically.

So what was Levi?

Sort of a Beta, I guess. He snorted at my term. Like me.

That doesnt make sense.

It doesnt matter.

I just want to understand.

Jacob finally met my confused gaze, and then sighed. Yeah. I was supposed to be the Alpha.

My eyebrows pulled together. Sam didnt want to step down?

Hardly. I didnt want to step up.

Why not?

He frowned, uncomfortable with my questions. Well, it was his turn to feel uncomfortable.

I didnt want any of it, Bella. I didnt want anything to change. I didnt want to be some legendary chief. I didnt want to be part of a pack of werewolves, let alone their leader. I wouldnt take it when Sam offered.

I thought about this for a long moment. Jacob didnt interrupt. He stared into the forest again.

But I 