CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
INSINUATIONS

When Montana woke the next morning, Jacob's arms were still wrapped around her.

The first thing she remembered was that Harry Clearwater was dead. Leah and Seth would be grieving their father's passing, and coming to terms with their newfound shape-shifting abilities. Sue would be sorting arrangements for a funeral that shouldn't be happening, and wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for Victoria, or the Cullens, or Bella.

Montana could feel herself growing angrier at the thoughts plaguing her mind. She couldn't help thinking about how easily Bella had disappeared with Alice Cullen last night, without a second thought or regard for anybody that cared for her. Because Edward was all that mattered.

It was hard for Montana to wrap her head around that; Bella loving somebody that had brought so much trouble into her own life, and consequently everybody else's. Vampires were the reason that Harry Clearwater was dead. They were the reason that the people Montana loved, were forced, by their own genes, to phase into shape-shifting wolves. Perhaps they were even the reason that she too had unknown and unexplored powers.

Jacob had sensed that Montana was awake from the change in her demeanour. Her shoulders had stiffened, muscles in her body tightening as she gritted her teeth in annoyance. "Montana?" He whispered, his fingers grazing down the side of her arm. Upon his gentle touch, Jacob could feel the hairs raise from her skin. "You okay?"

Montana remained still and silent for a few moments longer, before she finally shifted her body, turning to face him.  They had ended up somewhat spooning in the night, which would have been nice if Jacob's arm hadn't been trapped underneath her. He had been too worried about waking her up from a needed rest, so didn't dare move an inch until she had.

The other side of Montana's head rested against the pillow they shared, her face inches away from his. Jacob's chest ached as his gaze locked with her tearful eyes. He reached a hand out, stroking away a few of the dark curls that had matted against her face.

Jacob wasn't sure that there was anything he could possibly say, or do, that would make things feel any easier. It was hurting him to know that she was upset, and there was nothing he could do to take any of the pain away from her. If he could, he would do, in a heartbeat.

Montana eyes fluttered closed at the feeling of Jacob's warm touch against her skin, his calm presence already beginning to soothe her mind.

"Everything's gonna be okay," he reassured softly.

If anybody else had told her that, Montana probably wouldn't have believed them, but the way Jacob spoke the words, as if he would see to it himself to make everything right again, made the promise feel like one of the most convincing things she'd ever heard.

Montana couldn't explain the warmth that spread through her body at Jacob's comforting touches. The way he always seemed to set her heart and mind at ease was a complete mystery to her.

She peered up at him, a slow hint of a smile crossing her lips. Jacob's dark hair was tousled, his tired eyes cracked only half open. Montana began to wonder how much sleep he'd actually managed to get. His bare chest was uncovered and the duvet had been bundled around her instead, likely from when he'd been warm during the night.

What Montana didn't know was how fast Jacob's heart was racing as his eyes drifted over the features of the girl in front of him. Her hair was a mess, sticking up in places from the way she'd tossed and turned in her sleep. Eyeliner, which hadn't quite been removed by her makeup wipes, was smudged underneath her red rimmed eyes, which were so heavy with tiredness they were barely open. Her skin was redder in places, with blemishes that were uncovered by makeup. It was possibly one of the worst times to be admiring Montana's beauty, but Jacob couldn't help himself.

As much as she would have quite liked to stare into Jacob's eyes all morning, Montana knew that wasn't going to be productive for either of them. Also, she had to get to school.

"I should probably get ready," she said.

Jacob frowned. "What for?"

Montana broke her eye contact with Jacob, shifting off the side of the bed. "School."

"You're going?" He asked her, sitting up properly.

"Mom said we didn't have to, but I need the distraction," Montana replied. "Plus, I guarantee Dakota will be going too, so I might as well."

Her bare feet padded against the carpet as she crossed the room to the wooden set of drawers, preparing to pick out an outfit. Jacob's eyes were completely fixated on her movements, realising that all she was wearing was a tank top and a pair of shorts. Montana leaned over to reach the lower draws, and Jacob had to avert his eyes, biting his bottom lip as he looked up at the ceiling.

"I'm gonna take a shower," she announced, clothes bundled in her arms. Jacob quickly glanced back at her, smiling innocently as he nodded her head. Montana looked unsurely at him for a second, before turning and heading for the door. "I won't be long."

Once the door had shut behind her, Jacob released a heavy breath, falling back down against the mattress.

Montana didn't take long in the shower, barely ten minutes, which was almost a record for her. When she returned to her bedroom, fully washed and dressed for the day ahead, she was met with the sight of Jacob's back and the sound of his light snores. She suppressed a laugh, quietly moving about her room to finish getting ready.

As she was applying some light makeup, a heavy knock at the door sounded, sending the mascara wand in her hand falling to the floor in panic. Before she could do or say anything, Dakota stepped inside, her mouth open in intention to say something, though the words seemed to disappear, a smirk curving on her lips instead at the sight she was met with.

Jacob bolted upright, slightly disoriented since he hadn't intended to fall back asleep. He immediately searched the room for Montana, casting his eyes over her to check she was okay.

Dakota leaned against the doorway, failing to bite back the amused grin on her face. "Jacob Black, that's twice now that I've caught you in Montana's bed. Is this becoming a habit?"

Montana stifled a groan, bending down to retrieve her mascara wand from the floor. "Is there something you want, Kota?"

"Yeah, I need to borrow your hairspray, mine ran out," Dakota replied, moving inside the room to retrieve the item. Montana leaned over to her left, scouring through her box of hair accessories. "Kim said she'd give us a ride to school, by the way. I assume you're going."

If Kim was driving, that usually meant that Jared wasn't coming in.

"Yeah, I'm going," Montana responded. "What time?"

Dakota glanced at the clock on the wall. "Twenty minutes."

"Okay." Montana nodded. She found her hairspray, holding it out to Dakota, who took it with a grateful smile. Montana narrowed her eyes sternly. "A word of this to mom and I'll kill you."

Dakota took a step back, mockingly holding her hands up in defence.

"Girls, I hear voices, are you up?"

Montana's head shot up, eyes practically bulging out of her skull at the sound of her mother's voice on the landing. Her heart soared in panic as she gestured hurriedly to the open door, signalling desperately for Dakota to shut it.

Before her cousin could even take a step, Nita was in the doorway with gentle eyes and a warm smile on her face, until, suddenly, her stare landed on Jacob. "Oh–"

Montana cursed under her breath, climbing unsteadily to her feet. Jacob looked just as startled as Nita, and, somehow, even more embarrassed than Montana, who was currently flailing her arms around whilst trying to get her words out.

Dakota clamped a hand over her own mouth to stop herself from laughing as the scene unfolded in front of her.

"Um, hi, Nita." Jacob offered the surprised woman a small smile, trying to subtly pull the covers further over his shirtless chest.

"Hello, Jacob," Nita managed to respond, looking towards her daughter for answers.

"So, this...uh...I mean, this looks worse than it is," Montana finally managed to get out, almost tripping over Jacob's discarded shoes as she made her way towards her mother.

Dakota leaned against the dressing table with an unbearably tight lipped grin, the held back laughter causing her insides to physically hurt.

Nita's surprised eyes shifted from Montana, to Jacob, before finally back towards her panicking daughter once more. "Okay..." she trailed, slowly backing out of the room. "Well, breakfast is ready. Jacob, you're welcome to stay."

Montana pressed her lips together as her mother closed the bedroom door shut. She placed a hand against it to keep it firmly closed, her forehead falling forwards.

Dakota couldn't help it as she finally burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as her breaths began to escape in short bursts. "Oh man, you– god, you really should have seen your faces!"

Montana's heart was hammering ridiculously heavily in her chest, and her entire body felt as if it were on fire from embarrassment. She silently pleaded to the universe that her mom hadn't jumped to any conclusions about what she saw, and, more importantly, that she hadn't breathed a word of it to her dad. Both of which, were highly unlikely.

"I am begging you," Dakota started, looking at Jacob. "Please stay for breakfast. This is the most entertainment I've had in weeks."

"Not funny," Montana hissed, giving her cousin a death glare before she turned to Jacob, her expression softening. "Ignore Dakota, I usually do."

"You are so moody today," Dakota stated. A faint smirk followed as she raised her eyebrows at Montana. "Not get much sleep last night or something?"

Montana launched a pillow at her cousin, who caught it with ease before it hit her, sending Montana a wink in response. Jacob couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, also earning him narrowed eyes from Montana. "What?" He asked innocently, sharing a brief amused look with Dakota.

"Yeah, no, in your dreams, Jake," Montana shot back at him, not quite convincingly enough for Dakota, whose grin widened as she watched a very flustered Montana reach for her backpack.

"Ouch," Dakota commented. "Have to try harder next time, Jake."

Montana threw her hands up in the air, heading out of her bedroom. "You two are driving me insane!"

Dakota and Jacob fell silent, both staring at the door Montana had exited from. Their lips had tightened to try and stifle their laughter, but once they heard Montana was a far enough distance down the stairs, they broke out into loud laughter.

Montana rolled her eyes, dropping her backpack down by her sneakers at the front door. She glanced down at her phone to check the time, realising that Kim would be arriving to pick them up in around ten minutes.

Inside the kitchen, the table had been set, with an extra plate for Jacob, of course. Montana took a seat in her usual chair, pouring herself a glass of orange juice from the jug. She lifted the cup to her mouth to take a sip, halting when she noticed her parents' stares fixated on her.

Montana sighed heavily, placing the glass back down on the coaster. "What?"

"Nothing," Nita answered quickly, drawing her attention away from her daughter. Montana quirked an eyebrow.

"We didn't hear Jacob come by last night," Tye spoke up, his eyes focused on buttering his toast – rather forcefully, Montana noticed.

"Yeah, he came to check if I was ok," Montana responded, feeling her cheeks flush at the silent insinuations, despite the fact that nothing had actually happened between her and Jacob. "He wanted to talk."

"Talk dirty, more like," Dakota grinned as she sauntered inside the kitchen.

Nita accidentally dropped her cutlery onto her plate, whilst Tye choked on his coffee. Dakota patted him on the back, moving round the table to take her usual seat opposite Montana, who was glaring daggers at her.

"You're so not funny," Montana told her.

Dakota shrugged nonchalantly, taking a bite from the waffles that were stacked on her plate. Her eyes shifted towards Tye and Nita. "Oh, Jake's coming down by the way, he's just getting dressed."

Tye inhaled sharply, dropping his toast onto the plate. Dakota grinned smugly to herself, her playful eyes flickering over to Montana, who was prepared to simply die on the spot.

"Nita," Tye addressed his wife. "Nita, I can't do it. I'm sorry, I just can't do it."

"Calm down," Nita whispered, shaking her head at her husband. "You know Dakota is just being silly."

"Please, Dad, for the love of god," Montana said. "Nothing happened, okay? We fell asleep talking."

"I just...I wish you would tell us...you know, when you're having boys over, that's all," Tye eventually got out, trying to remain as calm as possible. "We could have made the spare room up for him."

"Dad, it's Jacob," Montana pointed out. "Jacob. The kid who I used to make sandcastles with on the beach when we were like three!"

"We know, sweetie," Nita smiled gently at her daughter. "But you're older now–"

Montana cut her mother off with a loud groan, pushing her chair back. Dakota snickered, struggling to hide the smug grin on her face as they watched Montana stalk out of the room.

Nita sighed exasperatedly. "Dakota, talk to her."

"No way, I'm not giving her the sex talk," Dakota replied, chewing down her food. Tye choked on his coffee for the second time. "I don't have the expertise," she continued, grinning innocently at them. Nita gave her a pointed look. "What? Come on, you know I'm a virgin." She got to her feet. "Anyway, can't be late. See you later!"

Dakota left the kitchen with a huge grin, whilst Tye's head fell into his hands in despair.

Jacob met Montana at the bottom of the stairs, unable to help but smile softly at his imprint. Her mouth was tight and eyes firm as she hastily packed her school supplies into her backpack, uttering profanities under her breath. She looked adorable.

Nita trailed out of the kitchen behind Dakota, both women standing by the door. "Hello again Jacob, would you like some breakfast?" Nita asked him kindly.

Jacob shook his head, declining politely. "No, thank you. I should get going, I have to get ready for patrol soon. I wouldn't usually pass up your waffles."

"Are you sure?" Nita pressed, eyebrows furrowing in concern. "I don't want you to be going hungry."

"Oh, trust me, he's not," Montana assured, patting Jacob's stomach. She couldn't help but become suddenly very aware that she was touching rock hard abs. "You should see the amount of food these boys eat."

Dakota nodded her head in agreement. "Mhm. Poor Emily's grocery bill."

Jacob smiled again at Nita, who had opened her mouth to argue but decided better of it. The children in front of her were adults now, making their own decisions, clearly.

"Okay, well, good luck on patrol Jacob," Nita told him genuinely. "I know there's a lot of pressure on you boys right now."

Jacob nodded, thinking back to Harry Clearwater. There was a newfound urgency to finally catch Victoria, and an even larger desperation to rip her damn head off. He knew that, after what happened, the council would be waiting in anticipation for the pack to get justice, but that meant there would be a lot of pressure on them to find her again, and to stop her from harming anybody else. That meant more patrols, and more nights away.

The sound of a horn beeping outside caught everybody's attention. Montana picked up her backpack, kissing her mom on the cheek to say goodbye. Dakota opened the front door excitedly, bounding over to Kim with a huge grin on her face.

Kim rolled down her car window, eyes widening at the sight of Jacob emerging from the house beside Montana. Her mouth dropped in surprise, a grin forming on her face as soon as she caught Dakota's eyes.

Jared had a dangerous inability to keep a secret, which meant that Kim found out Jacob had imprinted on Montana. She, Emily and the boys had a bet going to see how long it would take for them to finally get together. Kim knew they would all be very interested to know this small piece of information.

"You should come by Emily's after school," Jacob told Montana as they headed across the drive. "We should talk to Sam about, you know, what happened outside Bella's."

Montana released a heavy breath, knowing that Jacob was right. She wished she could sweep the whole thing under the radar, especially since they had much more important things to deal at the moment. But this wasn't something she was going to be able to just ignore, despite how good of a job she'd done of it over the past twelve hours.

"I know you want to avoid it," he continued. "But we need to make sure you'll be safe."

"Yeah." Montana swallowed thickly, nodding in understanding. "Okay." They stopped beside Kim's car, and she turned to face him fully. "Be careful out there today."

Jacob smiled at her concern. "We will. Have a good day at school."

"See you tonight."

As Jacob turned to head in the opposite direction, Montana moved to open the car door, a sense of disappointment flooding over her now that she was no longer by Jacob's side.

Once she climbed into the back seat, she buckled herself in, doing her best to ignore the huge grin that Kim was watching her with. Eventually, Montana sighed, giving in. "Go on. Say what you want to say."

Kim wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "So, you and Jacob, huh?"

"Wasn't like that," Montana shut down, glowering at Kim and Dakota, who broke out into laughter.

"Honestly, that's twice now I've walked in on him shirtless in her bed," Dakota said, grinning up at her cousin through the mirror. Montana simply raised her middle finger and flipped her off.

Jacob waited, hidden by the tree line, for their car to pass. He watched on until it had completely disappeared from his view.

A part of him physically ached from being away from Montana. He couldn't stand her being somewhere else whilst he was on patrol. At least at school he could be sat in the same class as her, or could admire her from a distance. When they were completely apart, it felt like there was a piece of him missing.

Jacob had concluded that there wasn't enough time in the day to allow him to fully appreciate Montana. But hopefully a lifetime with her, in the future, would be enough.

A/N

Just a whole chapter of Montana being embarrassed and Dakota causing trouble.

Thought I'd give you guys something fun because the next chapter is gonna be a looooong rollercoaster 😊

In other news, the first chapters of my Paul and Embry fics, Nightmare and Moonlight, are up now, go check them out!!