Author's Note: It's been awhile, huh? Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Life's been one crazy, yet enjoyable ride! I'm hoping (1) there won't be such a lag between chapters anymore and (2) y'all are still interested in this story!

There will be two different POV going on here. I don't usually do this, but I felt it was necessary for the progression of the story. Next chapter should be back to having one POV . Also, this chapter is shorter than the others, but next chapter should be longer :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Ashley and my imagination.

Chapter Summary: In which Jake and Sam gets into it (again) and Ashley contemplates her future with Jake. By the way, the story is rated M for a reason…


Chapter 26

We had reached Sam and Emily's place about an hour after leaving the Cullen's place. Jake was pretty quiet the entire way there. I tried to make conversation, but seeing as Jake was only replying with one or two words, I eventually stopped. I wonder what Edward could've told him to make him like this. I had frowned at him before staring out the window; I wish he would tell me what was bothering him.

After what seemed like forever, we arrived back in La Push and made our way to Sam's place. I was surprised to see the entire Pack outside, seemingly waiting for us. Jake parked and ushered me inside while reassuring me everything would be fine. Once I was inside, he kissed my forehead and left. I frowned at him, watching as he approached the group. Once he joined them, Sam led them off into the woods.

"Is everything alright?"

I turned to see Ellie looking at me in slight worry, Kim and Emily standing off in the distance. I made eye contact with the two women behind Ellie. Kim smiled reassuringly while Emily nodded, a small smile on her face. I glanced at Ellie and smiled at her reassuringly; at least, I hope it was. I was too worried about my Jake to process much of anything.

"Fine," I said.

Ellie studied my face and frowned. "You do know you're a horrible liar."

"Jake says the same thing," I said wryly. I seriously needed to work on my poker face.

"It's true. You may not want to talk about it right now, but when you're ready, I'll be here to listen."

"Thanks." Oh Ellie, you have no idea the can of worms you'd open if we were to really talk. I hated keeping this secret from my best friend, but I figured it'd be better to let Quil tell her. After all, she's his imprint.


To take my mind off things, I helped Emily prepare dinner, along with Ellie and Kim. We chatted lightly, mostly because I was trying to avoid all things supernatural. I'm pretty sure Em and Kim were trying to do the same. Our mini buffet was done and ready for the wolves when they returned. Seeing as we didn't know how long it would be, we all ate together.

"What'd you guys do today?" Ellie asked me.

"We went shopping," I said, smiling at the memory. "It was supposed to be for the house, but I ended up catching a few sales."

"Oh, poor Jacob," she said, shaking her head.

Emily and Kim laughed, the former asking, "Are you really that bad?"

"I don't think so," I said.

"Which means you are," Kim joked.

I shrugged. "I can't pass up a good sale. It's like, engrained in me or something. Jake's worried our future kids 'll have my shopping habits," I joked.

"Jake will definitely have his hands full if that's the case," Emily said joking.

"I suppose. Maybe that'll get him to rethink the number of kids he wants."

"He want's a lot, too?" Kim asked shyly. I nodded.

"It must be a guy thing," Em said.

"All I know is all of your children will be spoiled," Ellie said in amusement. Em, Kim, and I glanced at her in confusion. "I mean, they'll have all these uncles and aunts to look out for them. They're bound to be spoiled rotten."

We all laughed and agreed. "Yeah," Kim said, "They'll definitely be spoiled."

Yeah, I know me and Jake's kids will be spoiled, not only from us, but from our parents as well. I smiled to myself as I remembered the vision of Jake on all fours in our home with a small child on his back. Jake would definitely be an excellent father. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was ready to have Jake's kids. Last time we spoke on it, he said he'd be ready to have them in three years…that didn't mean we couldn't talk about it again, though. I know Jake wanted to be in a different position when we have them so he could take care of me and our children, but he always takes care of me, and I have absolutely no doubt he'd take care of our children.

We continued to talk and joke around which, to be completely honest, was much needed. I enjoyed spending time with these women, and I really appreciated them not being upset with me in any way. I know Jake believes nothing is my fault, but sometimes I couldn't help but feel guilty, especially since the Pack was protecting me specifically. Yet, Em and Kim never treated me any differently, and for that, I was grateful.

Once done with our meal, we went to the living room and watched some television. Of course, there wasn't much on as usual, but even if there was, I doubt any of us would be able to pay much attention to it. Ellie started up a conversation that got us all talking, though I couldn't really tell you what it was about. I mindlessly offered responses before falling asleep.


Jake's POV

Once my girl was safe inside with Emily and the girls, I stoically walked over to the group. Sam was eyeing me closely, almost as if he were waiting for me to strike. Had the circumstances been different, I would've laughed in his face. In fact, if Sam and I were on better terms, I wouldn't have hesitated to rip Bella's leech's head right off of his shoulders. Sam cocked his head towards the woods before walking off, the rest of us following him. There was a tense silence as we walked towards the tree line. The Pack could sense the tension between Sam and I, but I didn't care. I mainly just needed to know if what Bella's leech told me was true.

We reached a spot that was satisfactory to Sam and he stopped and turned towards The Pack, but he stared directly at me. I returned his stare. Hn, he didn't scare me.

"Was Ashley hurt?" Sam asked, his voice all business.

"No," I said as I continued to stare with narrowed eyes.

"Good," he said, crossing his arms over his chest, though he still stared at me, now with a frown on his face. "Were you injured?

"Yes, but nothing serious. My arm was dislocated. Dr. Leech popped it back in." I was all business. I needed to get this over with so I Sam and I could talk.

Sam nodded, his eyes finally leaving mine to quickly sweep my frame before once again locking eyes with me. His eyes narrowed as he took in my expression, an unreadable expression on his face.

"What happened?"

I relayed the events of today to the Pack, strategically leaving out the part where Bella's leech and I talked about Sam as well as that I was forced to thank them for their help by my imprint. I told them about the pixie leech's premonition that the coven will be here around Halloween, which sent the pack into an uproar.

"That's only a few days away!"

"Fuck them! We'll be ready!"

"Let them come. We'll show them!"

"We need to be careful," Sam bellowed out, drawing the rest of The Pack's attention and effectively stopping the chatter. "These things are in the area, no doubt searching out Ashley. I doubt it was a coincidence that they just so happened to be in the area." I nodded. Finally, something we could agree on.

"Ashley is family, and we will protect her," Sam said, blatantly looking at me. He was baiting me, that much I knew. "I will determine the best course of action." I visibly bristled. Although it went unsaid, his tone clearly added "not Jacob" at the end. I could hear a little voice in the back of my head that sounded a lot like my girl telling me to calm down. "Something wrong, Jacob?"

My eyes narrowed dangerously at my pack brother. "There's a lot wrong, Sam," I said, trying to control myself. Sam watched me closely, his eyes boring into mine. "I'd rather discuss it privately."

"There is no secrecy within this pack, Jake, you know that. Whatever you have on your mind, you can say it here in front of everyone."

"Really? No secrecy? Then does the Pack know you don't trust me?" By the surprised looks on most of their faces, they didn't know.

"Where'd you hear that?" Sam said, immediately on the defensive.

"Bella's leech," I said, my eyes narrowing dangerously. "Was he right?"

Sam sighed before replying with, "yes."

My gritted my teeth, feeling my blood begin to boil. So Bella's bloodsucker was right, Sam didn't trust me. I nodded slowly, pursing my lips.

"So you don't trust me because I'm trying to keep my imprint safe?" My voice was deadly calm, cracking through the silence of the forest. The Pack eyed Sam and I warily, ready to intervene if they needed.

"No," Sam responded, his voice just as calm. "I don't trust you because you're challenging me."

I scoffed. "We're at this again? I already told you if I wanted to be Alpha, I would be."

"Jacob, you have to understand-"

"Understand what?" I practically yelled out. "That I need to cater to your pride to keep my imprint safe?!" Seriously, fuck that!

"That's not it-"

"Then what is it?!" I yelled in frustration. Sam didn't answer right away, causing my blood boil. "I knew it," I spat out, shaking my head at Sam. "You know what Sam, you can do whatever the fuck it is you want to do," I began in a deadly calm voice, "just not with MY imprint. I will decide what's best for her, and if you don't like it, then tough shit."

I glared at Sam, waiting for him to say something –anything –about what I just said. The Pack kept looking between me and Sam, waiting with baited breath to see if one of us would damn the consequences and pounce on the other.

"If that's all, Sam," I said sarcastically making him glare harder, "I'll be leaving so I can continue to keep Ash safe."

Sam's intense stare was on me and I was tempted to flip him off. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked back to the house. I heard Embry and Quil call out to me, but I needed to leave before I did something I regret. I was seeing red, my mind reeling from the conversations with Sam. The worse part was knowing Bella's bloodsucker was right.

You know what? Fuck Sam! Fuck him and his fucking pride and his fucking it's-my-way-or-the-highway attitude! I'll keep Ashley safe it's if the last thing I ever do.


Ashley's POV

"Mmmm," I felt myself mumble as something lightly brushed the side of my face. It definitely wasn't unpleasant. I sighed before curling up and hugging my pillow to my body and-

Wait…pillow?

I opened my eyes, blinking in confusion. I was in our room at our home. As I became more aware, I could feel Jake pressed against my back. I turned around to face Jake in bed. He moved his arm to my lower back and slowly stroked it as I looked at him in sleepy confusion. How'd I end up in our bed? Even though the darkness, I could see him staring at me with all the love in the world. I brought my hand up to gently caress cheek, smiling gently as I did so.

"I take it you're the reason I'm in bed?"

"You know it. Did you know you sleep hard? The car ride back didn't wake you and neither did me carrying you."

"Really? I must've been really tired," I said, yawning and stretching. "What time is it?"

"After two," he said, kissing my forehead and drawing me closer to him.

"Hmm," I sighed contentedly as his natural body heat encased me, relaxing me as it did so. "Everything okay?"

"In a manner of speaking," he said. Even through the darkness, I could make out the signs of stress on his face. "Go back to sleep. We'll talk in the morning."

"Not sleepy anymore," I said, causing him to chuckle lightly. To emphasize my point, I went to sit up but was instantly dragged back down.

"Honey, get some rest," he said, his voice laced with amusement. His deep voice reverberated in my ears as he began to massage my scalp. God, that felt good.

"You need rest, too," I said, closing my eyes in bliss at the feeling of his fingertips massaging my scalp. "You okay?" I asked, tucking my head under his chin and sighing in contentment. I felt completely at peace.

"I suppose," he said, his hand once again going to my lower back. I looked up at him in question.

"Talk to me baby," I said. I tilted my head up to look at him. Jake frowned and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. As he opened his dark eyes, I could see the frustration and slight anger radiating in them. I frowned, feeling that protective urge rise in me once again.

"Sam and I got into it again," he said, shaking his head and sighing. "He just doesn't get it."

"Get what?" I asked, stroking his broad chest.

"My reasoning for everything. He still thinks I'm trying to take over the pack, which I'm not," my wolf said, rolling his eyes. "My thing is he can hear my thoughts when we're phased. If I was gonna challenge him, he would've seen it coming!"

That was true. "Did you tell him that's not your intention?"

"Of course I did!" Jake exclaimed, his voice rising a bit in the darkness. "But he still didn't believe me! I swear it took everything to not punch him in his goddamned mouth."

My eyes widened at the confession. "Baby," I started to reprimand, but Jake cut me off.

"I know what you're gonna say, Ash, but I'm not playing around. I really would've punched him and not regretted anything. Yeah, he's my wolf brother and all that shit, but he doesn't know what it's like to have his imprint in danger like this," Jake said, his arm tightening around me. "He doesn't know what it's like to watch his imprint suffer through nightmares involving those –those things-" I frowned at that memory, remembering my all too real dream involving the redheaded psycho.

"-or what it's like to have your imprint afraid to go in her own fucking apartment because she thinks a fucking leech is gonna attack her-" I tensed at this memory, and Jake wrapped his arms tighter around my waist in comfort.

"-or what it's like to have his imprint attacked by leeches," I shuddered, remembering my first brush with vampires.

"-or what it's like to watch his imprint bleeding out because she cut herself with a fucking rock to save a person she barely liked and end up in the hospital hooked up to machinery and pale as fuck because of the blood loss." I flinched involuntarily at Jake's harsh tone. I knew that was still a sore subject for him and while the harshness wasn't directed at me, I still felt impossibly guilty for putting him through that heartache.

"He doesn't know what it's like to have the love of his life in constant danger because of something she can't control!" Jake exclaimed. I could feel the slight tremors going through his body alerting me to his temper rising. "He just doesn't fucking get it!"

Jake took deep breaths in the silence of the room as I reflected on what he said. I couldn't help but feel as if this were all my fault.

"I'm sorry," I said sadly, though I was tempted to add 'for hurting you.' I never wanted to put my love through that ever again. I closed my eyes, doing my best to not dwell on the situation. I felt Jake sigh and pull me closer to him, my body now laying along the length of his own, realizing for the first time he was completely naked.

"Don't apologize," he said, his voice still tense. "Nothing's your fault."

I sighed and didn't respond. I know Jake doesn't blame me for anything, but remembering how distraught he was during that time was heartbreaking, not to mention how hard on himself he was.

"Hey," Jake said, tilting my face towards his own. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry for bringing it up," Jake said remorsefully, "I didn't say it to make you feel bad."

"I know you didn't," I said, wrapping my arms around him in comfort and burying my head in his chest. I know he didn't mean to make me feel bad, but my actions hurt him. That's definitely not what I had intended.

"I just…I can't lose you," he said. I frowned, hearing the strain in his beautiful voice. I knew this entire situation stressed him out, but I may have underestimated just how much.

"You won't lose me," I said, kissing his chest. Jake pulled away slightly and looked down into my eyes, his own expression unreadable. My own reflected complete trust in him. I know Jake will keep me safe, and I'll do the same for him. Always. I leaned up to kiss my wolf chastely on the lips. "I know we'll be fine, baby, we always are."

"I know, I just –fuck –I just wish you weren't put in this situation."

I caressed his handsome face, reveling in the softness of his skin. "But I am…and everything will be fine."

Jake sighed while frowning. "How do you know?"

"I just do, Jake," I said, confidently. Jake eyed me searchingly, his dark eyes seemingly looking to see if I knew something he didn't. "Besides," I said, kissing him again, "we have future plans, like getting you in school-" I wrapped my thigh around his waist, halfway straddling him "-and us starting a family."

"Mmhmm," Jake said, his dark eyes studying me closely. His big, strong hands pulled me closer to him, if that was even possible. I could feel every strong muscle pressed against me. Jake's expression softened as he kissed my lips sweetly, his hand went to my thigh, caressing it through my jean-clad legs.

"And," I began once we broke the kiss, "us getting married."

Jake watched me closely, his dark eyes showing so much emotion; love, devotion, promise, confidence, trust. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by his expression.

"I love you," I said, trying to reflect what I saw in his eyes to him.

"I love you, too," he responded before capturing my lips in a passionate kiss. I sighed in contentment as Jake gently pushed me on my back, careful not to break the kiss. My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him as close as possible as I wrapped my thighs around his waist. I kissed him harder as his hands trailed to the button on my jeans, my breath picking up in the process. Jake's touch never failed to send pleasant shivers down my spine.

"You have on way too many clothes," he said, breaking the kiss.

"Why don't you do something about it?" I said, teasing him playfully. Jake's dark eyes bore into my own brown ones hungrily. I shivered involuntarily at his look.

Do something, he most certainly did.

Jake unbuttoned my jeans and yanked them, along with my underwear, down to my knees. I quickly maneuvered out of them without breaking contact. Next, Jake lifted me and removed my shirt with my bra following soon after. I was now pressed flush against my wolf, with Jake laying between my legs.

"That's better," Jake stated. I laughed lightly

I nodded as I lifted my hips to grind against him, making him groan in the process. Jake responded by returning the favor, his weight baring down onto my core in the most delicious way. His eyes took on a hungry look at my response as he continued to grind himself into me. My hands buried into his thick hair as I wrapped my legs around the waist of the muscular man on top of me. His full lips covering my own as our tongues battled for dominance with him eventually winning and taking control. His hands lightly grazed my sides, tracing a trail along my lower back, before grabbing my ass with both of his large hands, kneading it and squeezing it none too gently as he continued to grind against me. Usually, we took our time, exploring each other's bodies thoroughly, but I couldn't help the overwhelming need that overcame me. One thing was certain, I needed Jacob Black and I needed him now.

"Jake," I said breathlessly, breaking the kiss, "I need you," I said, voicing my thought. Jake nodded, his dark eyes wild and intense with passion.

I moaned and bit down on Jake's shoulder as he entered me with a simple thrust of his hips. God, he felt so good. Slowly, Jake pulled out, moaning as he did so, before snapping his hips back into me, this time eliciting a soft cry from my lips and a deep groan from him. My nails scratched against his back as he did it again, this time increasing the pace of his thrusts as his hands braced on either side of my head, my eyes closed in complete ecstasy. God, Jake was amazing.

I was surprised when Jake suddenly removed himself from me and flipped me over on my stomach. His arm lifted me up so I was on my hands and knees. I turned my head in surprise at him. Jake's heated eyes locked onto mine and held my gaze as he entered me from behind. My mouth opened in a silent "o" at the feeling of this new position. I heard myself whimper as he smacked my ass before thrusting in me once more. I bit my lip at the delicious friction we were making as I met every one of his thrusts.

My breath was coming in shallow pants now as my arms were shaking from my impending orgasm. I cried out as Jake quickened the pace of his thrusts and leaned over me, kissing my temple before nipping my ear with his teeth. My eyes rolled in the back of my head as his hand found its way to my swollen clit, flicking and rubbing it. I came hard, unable to stop myself as I practically yelled out Jake's name and collapsed on the bed. Jake followed along, moaning while his body jerked and as he came. Jake collapsed on top of me, his breathing ragged as he basked in his high. He gently removed himself from me and rolled to his side, facing me.

I watched him with half lidded eyes as I lay on my belly, completely spent. He lifted his hand and caressed my face, eliciting a dreamy smile from me.

"I love you," I said, moving over to snuggle against him. It's amazing how that one statement can bring an instant smile to his handsome face.

"I love you," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer to his chest. He left a lingering kiss on my forehead before we both fell asleep.


Next Chapter, Ash talks to some members of The Pack.

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