CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE:

Bella's POV:

It was hot, being pressed up against Jacob, and I didn't mean in the sexy/attractive way. I meant it in the sweltering 'oh my god I'm actually sweating, how freaking high is his temperature?' way.

"How can you be wearing a jacket?" I groaned, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand.

"I don't really feel it." Jacob shrugged.

"How come you even need one?" I grumble, wishing Hermione had cast a cooling charm on me instead.

"I don't. I brought this for you, just in case you weren't prepared." He looked at my jacket almost as if he was disappointed that I was. "I don't like the way the weather feels. It's making me edgy. Notice how we haven't seen any animals?"

"Um, not really." I told him and he snorted.

"I guess you wouldn't. Your senses are too dull." I made a face but let that pass.

"Alice was worried about the storm too." I told him instead. I'm impressed when he doesn't even make a face at the mention of her name. Instead he just looks thoughtful.

"It takes a lot to silence the forest this way. You sure picked a real hell of a night for a camping trip."

"It wasn't exactly my idea." I sighed.

The forest floor began to rise more and more steeply, though it didn't slow Jacob down. Instead he leapt easily from rock to rock, not seeming to need his hands at all. His perfect balance simultaneously freaked me out and reminded me of a mountain goat.

"So it's been a while since you came down to La Push," he commented.

"I've been busy." I told him, "the whole army of newborn vampires thing has kind of been weighing down, plus finals and graduation and... other things." Namely the whole wedding debacle. Which I still hadn't told Jacob about and was absolutely planning on putting off for as long as I possibly could.

Jacob was silent for a few minutes, before he spokes up again. "Bella... besides my apology, we never really spoke about... the other day. About what happened." I stiffened in his arms.

Ah. The kiss. The declaration.

I didn't really want to have this conversation under the present conditions- him cradling me against his chest with his too-warm arms. Hell, I didn't really want to have this conversation period.

"Have you... have you thought about what I said? At all?" He asked when I stayed silent.

"A bit. But not in the way you're thinking." I replied, my voice soft.

"A smart person looks at all sides of a decision." He told me, now carefully avoiding my glance.

"I have."

"Bella..." Jacob paused, and sighed. "I think... I want you to be honest with me. Not defensive, not trying to protect my feelings, just completely and utterly honest. Do I have a chance?"

I closed my eyes and felt a tear slide down my cheek. "I'm sorry." I whispered, because I was. I was sorry. "I love you, Jake, but I'm not in love with you."

Jacob took a deep, shuddering breath. "I'm not going to stop fighting for you Bella." He told me.

"I know." I answered.

"I'm never going to give up."

"I know." I repeated.

There was a long pause, where I rested my head against Jake's chest and listened to his heartbeat, the steady thump, thump, thump.

"You're my best friend, Jake." I told him, finally. "At least, you used to be. And sometimes you still are... times like this. When you let down your guard, throw away your prejudice and just... be you." He smiled down at me, the old smile that I loved.

"I'm always that, Bella. Even when I don't... behave as well as I should. Underneath, I'm always in here." I snorted.

"I know that, Jake. Why else would I put up with all of your crap?" He laughed, the first true laugh I'd heard for a while, and then his nose wrinkled.

"Urgh, we're not far now. I can smell him." He grumbled. I rolled my eyes, then froze as I caught a glimpse of something above me.

"Oh my god." I whispered, looking up at the solid wall of purple-black cloud that was racing in from the west, blackening the forest as it came. "You better hurry, Jake," I said, looking away from the sky to shoot him a worried look, "you'll want to get home before it gets here."

"I'm not going home." He stated, giving me an 'are you kidding?' look.

"Huh?" I asked. Jacob laughed at my confusion, which prompted me to make a face at him.

"I'm being you're two-way radio," he explained, "so that your sister and your lee- vampires can keep in touch with the Pack." I frowned, confused.

"I thought that was Leah's job." I said, talking about the previously arranged agreement that Leah would stay with us. Originally it was going to be Seth, but Leah refused to let him be involved in the fight with Victoria, without any wolf back-up, instead volunteering herself.

"Leah's going to take over tomorrow," Jacob explained, "she and Seth are spending the night with their mom."

"Oh," I said, feeling a pang of guilt. Should I have spent the night in Charlie's company? Just in case something went wrong?

"Bella, you worry too much." Jacob sighed, correctly interpreting my silence. I chewed on my lip, and tried to think of a way to change the subject.

"Edward told me something interesting the other day," I tell him, remembering a brief conversation we'd had, "about you." I clarified. Jacob bristled.

"It's probably a lie." I can't help my small smile at this.

"So you aren't second in command of the Pack?" I asked him, and he blinked, surprised.

"Oh. That. Yeah." I rolled my eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. He shrugged.

"It's not a big thing."

"I don't know," I mused, "it's kinda interesting. How does it even work?"

"Sam was the first, the oldest," Jacob explained, "it made sense for him to take charge." I frowned, confused.

"So shouldn't Jared or Paul be second, then? They were the next to change."

"It's hard to explain," Jacob said, searching for the words he needed, "it's... it's more about lineage, you know? Real old-fashioned, huh? Why should it matter who your grandpa is?" I blinked, remembering something Jacob had told me, a long time ago, before either of us had known anything about werewolves.

"Didn't you say Ephraim Black was the last chief the Quileutes had?"

"Yeah, he was the Alpha." Jacob nodded, before his lips quirk into a smile. "You know, technically, Sam's the chief of the whole tribe now?" He laughed, and I couldn't help my smile at the thought of stick up his ass Sam being the chief of the Quileutes. "Crazy traditions, huh?"

"Uh huh," I agreed, before a thought hits me, "hey, you said that it's all about lineage. Doesn't that mean you should be the alpha then?" Jake was quiet for a few seconds.

"I was supposed to be the Alpha." He said finally, quietly, meeting my confused gaze.

"Sam didn't want to step down?" I asked, pulling my eyebrows together. Jacob snorted.

"Hardly. I didn't want to step up."

"Why not?" I pressed. He frowned, uncomfortable with my questions. Tough luck buddy, your questions make me uncomfortable too, I think. And you kissed me. Without my permission. Consider this revenge.

Plus I'm actually kind of curious now.

"I didn't want any of it, Bella," He finally said, "I didn't want anything to change. I didn't want to be some legendary chief. I didn't even want to be part of a pack of werewolves, let alone their leader!" He laughed, the sound bitter. "I wouldn't take it when Sam offered."

"I thought... I thought you were happier. That you were okay with this." I whispered.

Jacob smiled down at me, reassuringly, his expression softening.

"It's not that bad, Bella. Exciting sometimes, like with this thing tomorrow. But sometimes... sometimes it sort of feels like being drafted into a war you never knew existed. There's no choice. It's so... final. But, I guess, in a way, I'm also glad. It had to be done, and I don't know if I could trust someone else to get it right. It's... it's better to make sure myself."

I look at him, feeling an unexpected wave of surprise, and a tiny bit of awe, for my friend. He was more grown-up then I'd ever given him credit for.

Before I could say anything, the wind shook more fiercely through the trees around us, almost pulling me right out of Jacob's arms. "Shit." Jacob swore, as the sharp sound of wood cracking echoed off the mountain. Though the light was vanishing as the grisly cloud covered the sky, I could still see the little white specks that fluttered past us.

Shit, I agreed. It was starting to snow.

Jake broke into a sprint, and it was only minutes later that he dashed around to the lee side of the stony peak. I easily noticed the small, shabby two-man tent nestled up against the sheltering face and Jake raised an eyebrow as we looked down at it.

"That was the best Cullen could come up with?" he snorted.

"Actually, Hermione told us she'd set up." I frowned, before sighing. "Tent's a tent, I guess."

A second later, Edward exited the tent, having to crawl out on his hands and knees, and I was surprised to see how wide his eyes were. "Bella, come inside and have a look." He said, ignoring the fact Jacob was basically cradling me in his arms.

"Um, Edward, I don't think we'll all fit." I tell him, chewing my lip, and looking up at the sky which was now so dark it looked like nighttime. Without the heating charm, I shuddered to think about how cold I would be. "Especially with Alice and Hermione coming," I added, realizing that my sister would be joining us soon, "that's five, and you and Jake aren't exactly small..." Edward smiles at me.

"Just come have a look, love." Jacob makes a face at the pet-name, but carries me over, placing me down right next to the tent flap. In front of me, Edward crawled back into the tent, and I followed, bending down and ducking under the flap. My jaw instantly dropped.

I had just walked into not a tent, but what looked like an old-fashioned, three-roomed flat, complete with a bathroom and kitchen. Even the temperature inside was pleasant, with a small fire crackling in the fireplace. "What on earth?" I gaped, and Edward pulled me up, into his arms, laughing softly.

"It's truly remarkable, isn't it?"

"It's just unreal." I said, shaking my head back and forth in amazement. "Hey Jake! Come take a look!" I shouted.

A second later, Jacob sticks his head under the flap, then his face gains a similarly shocked expression, and he crawled the rest of the way in. "Holy shit!" He gaped.

"I know! Isn't it amazing!" I barely manage to refrain from girly squealing. The tent has successfully managed to, at least momentarily, distract me from the whole 'army of newborn vampires' situation.

Jacob then wrinkled his nose slightly. "It smells like cats."

"I know, no matter how hard I try I can never get the smell out." Someone remarks from behind me. I let out a scream and spun around to see Hermione and Alice, walking out of the kitchen. I clutched my heart and stared at them, wide-eyed.

"Where you in there the whole time?" I squeaked.

"Just got here." Hermione smiles, "so what do you think?"

"It's..." I shook my head in wonderment, unable to find words, and Jacob finished for me.

"It's fucking crazy. Can I get one?" Hermione smiled at him.

"Believe me, this is nothing. I've been inside a tent that's actually a small palace, five stories high, several kitchens, bathrooms, a servant's quarters, living quarters..." Hermione trailed off, a smile on her face. "I would have set up that one, but it's not exactly that... suitable, It's this massive, extravagant confection of striped silk."

"Damn," Jacob said, shaking his head, "just damn."

Hermione laughed, and wrapped an arm around an enamored Alice's waist. "So, who wants to cook dinner?" she asked.

-

I'm still curled up next to Edward on one of the bunks, wrapped up in a thick comforter that provides a barrier between his icy cold temperature and my skin, when Hermione walked over to me.

I could tell it was morning- even inside the tent the sunlight was bright enough to hurt my eyes. But I haven't moved, haven't wanted to. I've kept my eyes closed, my face burrowed into Edward's shoulder, to try and put off the inevitable- my removal.

"It's time to go, Bella." Hermione said, quietly. A wave of desperation ripped through me, and I turned my head so I was facing her.

"Please," I whispered, feeling moisture gather in my eyes, "can I stay?"

"You can't." Hermione said, her voice soft, "I'm sorry Bella."

"Then can I have a few moments with Edward... private ones?" I asked, a hollow feeling in my stomach. Hermione hesitated then nodded.

"Of course. Alice and I will wait outside with Jacob. I'll put up a silencing charm." She said. I wait a few moments then Edward gently runs his hand through my hair.

"She's gone, love." I instantly crushed my mouth to his snow-white lips. He kissed me back, with just as much passion, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tight to me.

The kiss somehow grew, until I was panting and tingling, and I wanted him- desperately. My body was making my intentions clear, and inevitably Edward's hands moved to restrain me. I'd have felt hurt if his face didn't show so much need, the same desperate, all-consuming need burning inside me.

"Bella... perhaps this isn't the best moment for that." He suggested.

"Why not?" I asked, a sad smile curving my lips, as I snuggled closer to him, pressing my face into his shoulder. Sensing the wild desperation was gone, for now at least, Edward released my hands, and we wrapped our arms around each other, holding the other tight.

"Firstly, because it is cold." Edward said, kissing the tip of my nose.

"Wrong," I tell him, "first because you are bizarrely moral for a vampire." He chuckled.

"All right, I'll give you that. The cold is second. The third... we will try, Bella. I'll make good to my promise. Just not now, in a tent, with Alice, Hermione and Jacob waiting outside. And fourth-"

"This is a very long list." I muttered, and he laughed.

"Yes it is. But fourth, you need to go." I sighed, and hugged Edward as tight as I could.

"I love you." I tell him, and he hugged me back.

"Not as much as I love you."

"Impossible." I smiled, even as tears begin running down my cheeks.

Edward helped me pick out my clothes, then turned his back while I dressed, like the gentleman he is. Then, holding his hand, I walked outside.

Well, I crawled outside. The tent's exit/entrance is not very big.

Hermione and Alice are talking, softly, to each other, while Jacob stands a little way off, looking at the tent with a wistful expression that brightens when he sees me.

Hermione notices him perking up, and turns around to me. "It's time to go." She said, gently, and I nodded, my breath catching in my throat, stepping forward to grasp her hand.

"Bye guys. Be safe." I whispered, and then the awful feeling of being squeezed through something tiny washed over me, and it's just as bad as the time Hermione apparated us to The Burrow for the wedding.

The second my feet hit the sand I throw up. Hermione lets me get my breath back, rubbing my back gently and vanishing the sick. "Shh, you're okay, you're okay." She said, and eventually my stomach settled enough that I could look up.

"That... that was horrible." I mumbled, and she nodded.

"International apparation is nasty." She agreed. Sighing, I looked around, and see that we're the edge of a small cliff, overlooking the sea. On the edge of the cliff is a small cottage, it's walls embedded with shells and whitewashed.

"It's pretty." I commented, and Hermione looks at it with an indecipherable expression.

"It is."

She led the way up the winding, sandy path, and knocked on the door. A familiar young man with messy black hair and green eyes opens it. "Hey Harry." Hermione smiled, as he let us in.

"Hey love, hey Bella," he greeted us. I guessed that he was here to see Hermione before the battle.

Fleur then glided over to meet us, looking as stunning as ever.

"'ello Bella, 'ermione." She greeted us, kissing first Hermione then me, twice on both cheeks.

"Hi Fleur." Hermione greeted her friend. I nodded, my throat too choked up to speak.

I don't want to be here. I don't want to be here. I want to be at the fight, with the others. With my family. Not sitting here, hidden out of the way.

"Have fun, Hermione." Harry joked to Hermione, and I watched as Hermione pressed something into Harry's hand, then kissed his cheek. I narrowed my eyes at her, but she just smiled back at me, a slightly strained smile, but a smile none-the-less. "Stop worrying so much." She told me, before she twisted on the spot.

And then she was gone.