Alpha's Qahla
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 02
Bella woke slowly with a groan and a satisfied stretch. "God, what a dream…" she mumbled with a smile while snuggling under the covers to get comfortable. She froze and her breath caught as she realized she was completely naked.
She never slept naked.
Her eyes flew open and she shot up, the sheet clutched close to her chest as she peered around the darkened room; the empty, darkened room. "Maybe I did dream it all…" she muttered while rubbing her eyes.
Reaching to her lamp, she clicked it on and glanced at her clock. "Five a.m.," she muttered with a frown as she picked up a folded sheet of note paper that'd been set by the clock. She unfolded it and tilted it toward the light to read.
~o0o~
Bella,
You completely passed out on me sweetheart. I know I'm good, but damn girl!
Just kidding… You must have been exhausted though, so I tucked you in and let you sleep. Don't worry, I'll let you make it up to me later! *wink*
She smirked. "How benevolent of you Jake," she muttered, and went back to reading.
I waited for the pizza to get here and stuck it in the fridge since Charlie ate at my place with my dad. Hope that's okay. You owe me dinner now though! How about tomorrow? Great! I'll pick you up at six.
Jake
P.S. I put my number in your phone.
~o0o~
She chuckled and shook her head at how cocky he was as she grabbed her phone from the bedside table.
Scrolling through, she couldn't stifle the laugh that bubbled up at seeing his entry: The Sexiest Man Alive
With a smirk, she typed out a text.
What makes you think I want to have dinner with you?
She hit send and tossed the phone on the bed.
Rising from the bed, she grabbed her robe and shrugged into it for a trip to the bathroom. It was still early, but she knew she couldn't sleep any more, so she grabbed her stuff and got ready for the day.
She'd just finished dressing when her text alert sounded and she picked up the phone.
You don't? *sad face*
She tapped out her reply.
Well, you didn't exactly ask, did you?
She set the phone down and began brushing out her damp hair when she got another text.
But we…and you… Ok, fine. Miss Swan, will you have dinner with me this evening? Great! I'll see you at six! *grin*
A smile curved her lips and she shook her head as she replied.
Mr. Black aka TSMA: You're exasperating. I'll see you at six.
She finished up her hair and left her room to go see what she could scrounge for breakfast.
The smell of coffee wafted to her as she descended the stairs so she wasn't surprised to see Charlie sitting at the kitchen table with the paper while sipping a cup of the brew. He cocked a brow at her. "Early riser?" he asked.
"Not usually, but I knocked out early so here I am," she answered while grabbing a bowl and the cereal. "You already eat?" she asked while pouring the milk.
He turned the page and shook out the wrinkles. "Yeah," he muttered before lifting his cup to take a sip.
She nodded and took the seat across from him where she started eating.
"Have plans for the day?" he asked while eyeing her over the pages.
She shrugged. "I might go to the grocery store. Your cupboards are pretty bare Charlie. So's the fridge." She smirked as his cheeks flushed.
He cleared his throat. "I usually eat out," he muttered gruffly.
"I can see that," she said dryly.
They were silent for a while as he read and she ate and she was almost done when he laid his paper aside. "So, you and Jake hit it off?"
She choked on a swallow of juice, eyes watering as she coughed into a napkin. "Uh," she wheezed and cleared her throat. "Yeah, he's…all right, I guess."
His brows inched up at her reaction. "So what'd you two do after Billy and I left?"
She blushed and looked away for a beat as the memories of the day before, more specifically the evening before, came to mind. "He, uh, taught me to drive the truck and we…you know…talked, and stuff."
His eyes narrowed. "And stuff…" he muttered while she fiddled with her napkin. "Hm," he said as he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I guess it's time to have a talk with Jake, huh?"
Her head shot up, her eyes wide. "What?! Why? No!" she spluttered.
Charlie's brows inched up. "Bells, I was a teenaged boy. I know how these things go."
She scowled. "I'm capable of taking care of myself Charlie. Been doing it for most of my life."
He nodded. "I know kiddo, but it's not you I'm worried about."
She raised a brow and he sighed.
"Well, not really," he amended. "Look, I know how teen boys think," he said with a decidedly sour look on his face, "and you're my daughter."
She shook her head. "Ch—Dad, really…" she began to protest but he cut her off.
"I won't lecture him, okay?"
"Good," she said, relaxing into her seat.
He rose from the table and finished off his coffee. "Just gonna make a small death threat," he muttered as he left the kitchen.
"Charlie!" she yelled at his retreating back.
He merely laughed and kept walking. "Goin' fishin' baby girl. Call if ya need me." With that, she sagged at the sound of the front door closing.
After cleaning up the kitchen, she headed up to her room and grabbed her phone.
You may want to avoid Charlie.
She pressed send, straightened her bed and flopped down on it just as her text alert sounded.
You told him?!
She frowned and tapped out a reply.
Well, I'd never had oral sex before and I really wanted to share the experience…
Of course I didn't! He just knew there was something up. He is a cop, ya know? They sense these things!
She waited a moment and he replied.
I'm a dead man. I could'a loved you, you know? We would've been great together… I don't wanna die!
She rolled her eyes.
He won't kill you…although he did mention something about a death threat… she typed with a smirk and tapped 'send'.
Ha ha, Swan. See you at six.
She smiled and tossed her phone on the bed beside her as her thoughts wandered over what they'd done together the day before. Honestly, she was a bit shocked at herself.
She'd grown up watching Renee go through men like they were on sale and it hadn't been pleasant. It'd left her with the desire to avoid living the same sort of life. Consequently, boys had been relegated to the permanent 'friend' category and, until yesterday, she'd been happy with that.
"What's different now, Swan?" she muttered and frowned when she realized she didn't have a clue. She just knew Jake felt…different to her and it had started the moment she'd looked into his eyes yesterday.
Renee's ringtone sounded from her phone and she reached for it. "Hey," she answered.
"Bella! Baby, how'd the flight go? Are you all settled in? Charlie pick you up all right?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "No Renee, I hitched to the ferry and now I'm dragging my bags through Port Angeles. It's slow going. The puddles are hell…"
"What?!" her mother screeched.
"Of course he picked me up," she groused. "Charlie's the responsible one, remember?"
"Oh." She heard her mother giggle. "Don't scare me like that…
"So, get this, I'm on the road with Phil and it's awesome! I told you we were leaving right after we dropped you off, right? Well, we got in last night and there was a party in the hotel! It was so much fun! We spent some time in the pool and hot tub and then they set up a game of beer pong and, oh god, I drank so much, but I'm okay now. Phil's…"
Bella's jaw clenched and she cut her off. "That's great Renee. Look, I gotta go. Talk to you later, all right?"
Renee spluttered. "Oh, okay hon…"
Bella tapped end and tossed her phone aside as she stared at the ceiling, wondering what her life would have been like if she'd grown up here with Charlie; to have had someone who behaved as an adult and a parent. She thought she would have loved that and such thoughts left her feeling even more resentful toward Renee. After a few minutes of this, she sat up with a huff as she ran both hands through her hair. "This is getting me nowhere," she grumbled. "Water under the bridge Swan."
Glancing at the clock, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, walking quickly to her closet to grab a jacket.
She decided to get out of the house for a while and she really did need to get groceries. She hadn't been joking with Charlie about the lack of food in the house. With the exception of milk, cereal and beer, the place was bare.
Trotting down the stairs, she grabbed her keys off the table and headed out, locking the door behind her. Turning on the porch, she paused for a moment, just looking at the old red truck. Something occurred to her then; something profound: Renee had never done such a thing for her and probably never would. Everything in Renee's world was all about Renee. It was then, as a small smile quirked her lips and an unfamiliar warmth filled her, she realized an important truth: Charlie—her dad—really loved her. "I love you too Dad," she whispered before walking down to the truck and heading to the store.
She was now determined to make his life—their lives—better, and with a smile as she pulled out on the road, she just knew, this would be the best year she'd ever had.
~o0o~
Billy rolled into the kitchen to the sight of his son plating a mound of scrambled eggs and cheese next to a daunting pile of bacon. He chuckled and wheeled his way over to the table where the coffee pot sat along with a stack of toast.
"Just in time old man," Jake joked as he set his plate on the table. "Want some eggs and bacon? There's plenty."
Billy shook his head. "I'll stick with toast, thanks," he said while pouring a cup of coffee.
Jake shrugged and took up his fork. "Suit yourself," he said with a smile while beginning to eat.
Billy eyed him for a while before setting the paper aside. He picked up his cup and took a sip before speaking. "So…Isabella?" he asked while spreading some jam on his toast.
He watched as Jake tensed, his fork midway between his plate and mouth. He set the fork back on the plate and glanced at his dad before taking a drink of milk. "What about her?"
Billy's brows rose at his son's sudden wariness. "I might be old to you Jake but it hasn't been that long. I saw the way you looked at her and she at you." His tone changed with the turn of his thoughts. "Things are different now Jake. You need to be careful…"
Jake's expression darkened and he set his glass down solidly before meeting Billy's concerned gaze. "Yeah Dad, I think I know that better than anyone, thanks." He went back to eating and Billy sighed.
"She's my best friend's daughter, Jake and…"
The fork clanked back on the plate and Jake sat back with a low growl before closing his eyes to calm and regain control. He took some deep breaths before looking back at his dad. He might as well get this out in the open, like ripping off a band-aid. "She's my imprint."
He watched his dad's eyes widen and felt a pang of regret for dropping that info like some kind of verbal bomb, but he didn't have the patience he used to in the days when he was still normal; the days before he'd been cursed with the supernatural.
"Are you sure son?" Billy asked, his tone stricken which only served to piss Jake off.
'Might as well go for broke,' he thought. "I marked her. Is that sure enough for you?"
Billy sat up straight. "You what?!" he said with a gasp.
"I. Marked. Her." Jake reiterated. "She's mine," he finished with a bit of a growl in his tone as he stared his father in the eye.
Billy's eyes closed and he rubbed at his forehead with a sigh. "Calm son. If that's true, no one can dispute it." He looked back up. "She's white."
Jake snorted derisively. "Yeah, so?" he asked, offended that such a detail was even mentioned.
Billy shook his head while holding up a hand. "You misunderstand. I don't have a problem with that but you know how Sam…"
Jake shot up from his seat. "He can challenge me but nothing will change, aside from me kicking his ass. If that happens…" He paused and clenched his fists before looking his father in the eye. "I'll take my rightful place. He won't have a thing to say then." He sat back down and resumed eating, a deep frown now marring his normally cheerful features.
"You said you didn't want it," Billy ventured cautiously.
Jake finished his food and sat back, looking at his dad. "I didn't," he finally said. "I didn't want any of this. I wanted a normal life, but that's not exactly an option now, is it?"
"No," Billy said sadly. "No, it isn't but still, he's the Alpha. He's older and stronger…"
Jake stood and placed his dishes in the sink before turning back to his father. "It's not his rightful place. It's mine and I'll do what I have to do." With that, he walked out of the room leaving Billy to stare out the window.
He had no doubt his son would do just as he said. He'd always been decisive and determined. He only hoped he wouldn't get hurt in the process.
~o0o~
Bella was just putting the finishing touches on her makeup when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock and smiled just as Charlie called up. "Bella! You have a visitor, but take your time. We're gonna have a little chat."
Her eyes widened. "Shit," she muttered while hurrying to finish before tossing her mascara in the drawer and closing it with a hip. She hurried over to the closet, grabbed a hoody and hurried out of the room and down the stairs.
When she walked into the living room, Charlie was sitting in his usual chair, eyeing Jake who was looking surprisingly relaxed on the couch. "Everything okay?" she ventured.
Jake stood and smiled. "Everything's great," he said while stepping around the couch to take her hand.
"Yeah," Charlie grumbled. "Just great, and it'll stay that way as long as you remember what I said Jacob."
Bella looked between her dad and Jake, her brows raised. Jake grinned and nodded. "I'll remember Charlie."
He led her to the door and Charlie called out. "Back by midnight! I'll wait up!"
They walked out the door and Bella rolled her eyes as Jake chuckled. "You're awfully cheerful despite all that."
He stopped walking and tugged her to him, one hand rising to cup and caress her cheek. "I just picked up my beautiful girl. Why wouldn't I be cheerful?" Before she could say anything, he leaned down and kissed her, slowly and sweetly until he lightly nipped her bottom lip. Her arms circled his neck then, her fingers playing in the hair at the nape of his neck as she willingly deepened the kiss.
Moments later he ended it with a soft peck before smiling as their heads rested together. "Nothing can ruin this," he murmured as she smiled back at him. He stepped back and took her hand again. "Now come on. Let's get outta here."
He led her to his truck and helped her in before walking around to get behind the wheel. "So, where are you taking me?" she asked as he closed his door and started the truck.
"Dinner and a movie sound okay?" he asked with a glance, now looking a little nervous. "There isn't much to choose from…"
She took his hand with a smile. "No, that sounds great. I was just curious."
He pulled out and she glanced over at him. "What?" he asked with a smile.
"What did Charlie say to you?"
He laughed. "It wasn't too bad," he hedged with a glance.
"That's good," she said with a smirk. "But that still doesn't answer the question."
"Tough customer," he muttered before shooting her a quick look. "Fine, he said he owns an unregistered gun and knows how to hide a body."
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes went wide at the completely serious look on Jake's face. Then he cracked up laughing.
She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled as his laughter tapered off to a chuckle. "You should have seen your face."
"Ha, ha, very funny, Black."
"Uh oh, she breaks out the last name. That can't be good."
She ignored him in favor of staring out the windshield and he grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her fingers. "Aw come on sweetheart… I was only kidding. You aren't really mad at me, are you?"
She chanced a glance at him and he gave her a pleading look. "Damn it," she said with a sigh. "I can't stay mad when you look at me like that."
He grinned and chanced a quick kiss to her cheek. "Thank you baby."
She hmph'ed. "That won't always be the case so don't push your luck."
"Yes Ma'am," he agreed and she rolled her eyes.
"Now, what did he really say?"
"He said he loves you and doesn't want to see you hurt. He said he wasn't going to dictate to you; that he's trusting you to make your own decisions. He said I'm to treat you with respect and that no means no, not maybe. I agreed and that was it."
Her brows had inched up with every word he'd said. "Wow," she muttered before looking back at him. "That was it? Really?"
Jake rolled his lips together and looked at her. "Well, uh, there was one more thing…" he hedged and she nodded.
"Somehow I knew there was." She pinned him with a determined gaze. "Tell me."
He cringed. "Might be easier to show you," he muttered while digging in his jacket pocket. He handed her a small box and she stared at it, uncomprehending.
"What's this?" she asked as she turned the box over in her hands.
Jake reached up and clicked on the map light.
"Oh my God!" she yelled and tossed the box on the dashboard as her face flamed red. She glared at a laughing Jake. "Is this another joke? Because it's not funny…At. All."
The smile fell from his face at her dark expression. "Bella, I swear that's the absolute truth."
"Charlie—Forks Police Chief—my father—gave you a box of condoms before our first date?" she growled.
He glanced over and nervously nodded.
She hung her head and covered her eyes with a hand. "Oh my god," she muttered. "I'm gonna kill the man, slowly and painfully."
Bella woke slowly with a groan and a satisfied stretch. "God, what a dream…" she mumbled with a smile while snuggling under the covers to get comfortable. She froze and her breath caught as she realized she was completely naked.
She never slept naked.
Her eyes flew open and she shot up, the sheet clutched close to her chest as she peered around the darkened room; the empty, darkened room. "Maybe I did dream it all…" she muttered while rubbing her eyes.
Reaching to her lamp, she clicked it on and glanced at her clock. "Five a.m.," she muttered with a frown as she picked up a folded sheet of note paper that'd been set by the clock. She unfolded it and tilted it toward the light to read.
~o0o~
Bella,
You completely passed out on me sweetheart. I know I'm good, but damn girl!
Just kidding… You must have been exhausted though, so I tucked you in and let you sleep. Don't worry, I'll let you make it up to me later! *wink*
She smirked. "How benevolent of you Jake," she muttered, and went back to reading.
I waited for the pizza to get here and stuck it in the fridge since Charlie ate at my place with my dad. Hope that's okay. You owe me dinner now though! How about tomorrow? Great! I'll pick you up at six.
Jake
P.S. I put my number in your phone.
~o0o~
She chuckled and shook her head at how cocky he was as she grabbed her phone from the bedside table.
Scrolling through, she couldn't stifle the laugh that bubbled up at seeing his entry: The Sexiest Man Alive
With a smirk, she typed out a text.
What makes you think I want to have dinner with you?
She hit send and tossed the phone on the bed.
Rising from the bed, she grabbed her robe and shrugged into it for a trip to the bathroom. It was still early, but she knew she couldn't sleep any more, so she grabbed her stuff and got ready for the day.
She'd just finished dressing when her text alert sounded and she picked up the phone.
You don't? *sad face*
She tapped out her reply.
Well, you didn't exactly ask, did you?
She set the phone down and began brushing out her damp hair when she got another text.
But we…and you… Ok, fine. Miss Swan, will you have dinner with me this evening? Great! I'll see you at six! *grin*
A smile curved her lips and she shook her head as she replied.
Mr. Black aka TSMA: You're exasperating. I'll see you at six.
She finished up her hair and left her room to go see what she could scrounge for breakfast.
The smell of coffee wafted to her as she descended the stairs so she wasn't surprised to see Charlie sitting at the kitchen table with the paper while sipping a cup of the brew. He cocked a brow at her. "Early riser?" he asked.
"Not usually, but I knocked out early so here I am," she answered while grabbing a bowl and the cereal. "You already eat?" she asked while pouring the milk.
He turned the page and shook out the wrinkles. "Yeah," he muttered before lifting his cup to take a sip.
She nodded and took the seat across from him where she started eating.
"Have plans for the day?" he asked while eyeing her over the pages.
She shrugged. "I might go to the grocery store. Your cupboards are pretty bare Charlie. So's the fridge." She smirked as his cheeks flushed.
He cleared his throat. "I usually eat out," he muttered gruffly.
"I can see that," she said dryly.
They were silent for a while as he read and she ate and she was almost done when he laid his paper aside. "So, you and Jake hit it off?"
She choked on a swallow of juice, eyes watering as she coughed into a napkin. "Uh," she wheezed and cleared her throat. "Yeah, he's…all right, I guess."
His brows inched up at her reaction. "So what'd you two do after Billy and I left?"
She blushed and looked away for a beat as the memories of the day before, more specifically the evening before, came to mind. "He, uh, taught me to drive the truck and we…you know…talked, and stuff."
His eyes narrowed. "And stuff…" he muttered while she fiddled with her napkin. "Hm," he said as he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I guess it's time to have a talk with Jake, huh?"
Her head shot up, her eyes wide. "What?! Why? No!" she spluttered.
Charlie's brows inched up. "Bells, I was a teenaged boy. I know how these things go."
She scowled. "I'm capable of taking care of myself Charlie. Been doing it for most of my life."
He nodded. "I know kiddo, but it's not you I'm worried about."
She raised a brow and he sighed.
"Well, not really," he amended. "Look, I know how teen boys think," he said with a decidedly sour look on his face, "and you're my daughter."
She shook her head. "Ch—Dad, really…" she began to protest but he cut her off.
"I won't lecture him, okay?"
"Good," she said, relaxing into her seat.
He rose from the table and finished off his coffee. "Just gonna make a small death threat," he muttered as he left the kitchen.
"Charlie!" she yelled at his retreating back.
He merely laughed and kept walking. "Goin' fishin' baby girl. Call if ya need me." With that, she sagged at the sound of the front door closing.
After cleaning up the kitchen, she headed up to her room and grabbed her phone.
You may want to avoid Charlie.
She pressed send, straightened her bed and flopped down on it just as her text alert sounded.
You told him?!
She frowned and tapped out a reply.
Well, I'd never had oral sex before and I really wanted to share the experience…
Of course I didn't! He just knew there was something up. He is a cop, ya know? They sense these things!
She waited a moment and he replied.
I'm a dead man. I could'a loved you, you know? We would've been great together… I don't wanna die!
She rolled her eyes.
He won't kill you…although he did mention something about a death threat… she typed with a smirk and tapped 'send'.
Ha ha, Swan. See you at six.
She smiled and tossed her phone on the bed beside her as her thoughts wandered over what they'd done together the day before. Honestly, she was a bit shocked at herself.
She'd grown up watching Renee go through men like they were on sale and it hadn't been pleasant. It'd left her with the desire to avoid living the same sort of life. Consequently, boys had been relegated to the permanent 'friend' category and, until yesterday, she'd been happy with that.
"What's different now, Swan?" she muttered and frowned when she realized she didn't have a clue. She just knew Jake felt…different to her and it had started the moment she'd looked into his eyes yesterday.
Renee's ringtone sounded from her phone and she reached for it. "Hey," she answered.
"Bella! Baby, how'd the flight go? Are you all settled in? Charlie pick you up all right?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "No Renee, I hitched to the ferry and now I'm dragging my bags through Port Angeles. It's slow going. The puddles are hell…"
"What?!" her mother screeched.
"Of course he picked me up," she groused. "Charlie's the responsible one, remember?"
"Oh." She heard her mother giggle. "Don't scare me like that…
"So, get this, I'm on the road with Phil and it's awesome! I told you we were leaving right after we dropped you off, right? Well, we got in last night and there was a party in the hotel! It was so much fun! We spent some time in the pool and hot tub and then they set up a game of beer pong and, oh god, I drank so much, but I'm okay now. Phil's…"
Bella's jaw clenched and she cut her off. "That's great Renee. Look, I gotta go. Talk to you later, all right?"
Renee spluttered. "Oh, okay hon…"
Bella tapped end and tossed her phone aside as she stared at the ceiling, wondering what her life would have been like if she'd grown up here with Charlie; to have had someone who behaved as an adult and a parent. She thought she would have loved that and such thoughts left her feeling even more resentful toward Renee. After a few minutes of this, she sat up with a huff as she ran both hands through her hair. "This is getting me nowhere," she grumbled. "Water under the bridge Swan."
Glancing at the clock, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, walking quickly to her closet to grab a jacket.
She decided to get out of the house for a while and she really did need to get groceries. She hadn't been joking with Charlie about the lack of food in the house. With the exception of milk, cereal and beer, the place was bare.
Trotting down the stairs, she grabbed her keys off the table and headed out, locking the door behind her. Turning on the porch, she paused for a moment, just looking at the old red truck. Something occurred to her then; something profound: Renee had never done such a thing for her and probably never would. Everything in Renee's world was all about Renee. It was then, as a small smile quirked her lips and an unfamiliar warmth filled her, she realized an important truth: Charlie—her dad—really loved her. "I love you too Dad," she whispered before walking down to the truck and heading to the store.
She was now determined to make his life—their lives—better, and with a smile as she pulled out on the road, she just knew, this would be the best year she'd ever had.
~o0o~
Billy rolled into the kitchen to the sight of his son plating a mound of scrambled eggs and cheese next to a daunting pile of bacon. He chuckled and wheeled his way over to the table where the coffee pot sat along with a stack of toast.
"Just in time old man," Jake joked as he set his plate on the table. "Want some eggs and bacon? There's plenty."
Billy shook his head. "I'll stick with toast, thanks," he said while pouring a cup of coffee.
Jake shrugged and took up his fork. "Suit yourself," he said with a smile while beginning to eat.
Billy eyed him for a while before setting the paper aside. He picked up his cup and took a sip before speaking. "So…Isabella?" he asked while spreading some jam on his toast.
He watched as Jake tensed, his fork midway between his plate and mouth. He set the fork back on the plate and glanced at his dad before taking a drink of milk. "What about her?"
Billy's brows rose at his son's sudden wariness. "I might be old to you Jake but it hasn't been that long. I saw the way you looked at her and she at you." His tone changed with the turn of his thoughts. "Things are different now Jake. You need to be careful…"
Jake's expression darkened and he set his glass down solidly before meeting Billy's concerned gaze. "Yeah Dad, I think I know that better than anyone, thanks." He went back to eating and Billy sighed.
"She's my best friend's daughter, Jake and…"
The fork clanked back on the plate and Jake sat back with a low growl before closing his eyes to calm and regain control. He took some deep breaths before looking back at his dad. He might as well get this out in the open, like ripping off a band-aid. "She's my imprint."
He watched his dad's eyes widen and felt a pang of regret for dropping that info like some kind of verbal bomb, but he didn't have the patience he used to in the days when he was still normal; the days before he'd been cursed with the supernatural.
"Are you sure son?" Billy asked, his tone stricken which only served to piss Jake off.
'Might as well go for broke,' he thought. "I marked her. Is that sure enough for you?"
Billy sat up straight. "You what?!" he said with a gasp.
"I. Marked. Her." Jake reiterated. "She's mine," he finished with a bit of a growl in his tone as he stared his father in the eye.
Billy's eyes closed and he rubbed at his forehead with a sigh. "Calm son. If that's true, no one can dispute it." He looked back up. "She's white."
Jake snorted derisively. "Yeah, so?" he asked, offended that such a detail was even mentioned.
Billy shook his head while holding up a hand. "You misunderstand. I don't have a problem with that but you know how Sam…"
Jake shot up from his seat. "He can challenge me but nothing will change, aside from me kicking his ass. If that happens…" He paused and clenched his fists before looking his father in the eye. "I'll take my rightful place. He won't have a thing to say then." He sat back down and resumed eating, a deep frown now marring his normally cheerful features.
"You said you didn't want it," Billy ventured cautiously.
Jake finished his food and sat back, looking at his dad. "I didn't," he finally said. "I didn't want any of this. I wanted a normal life, but that's not exactly an option now, is it?"
"No," Billy said sadly. "No, it isn't but still, he's the Alpha. He's older and stronger…"
Jake stood and placed his dishes in the sink before turning back to his father. "It's not his rightful place. It's mine and I'll do what I have to do." With that, he walked out of the room leaving Billy to stare out the window.
He had no doubt his son would do just as he said. He'd always been decisive and determined. He only hoped he wouldn't get hurt in the process.
~o0o~
Bella was just putting the finishing touches on her makeup when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock and smiled just as Charlie called up. "Bella! You have a visitor, but take your time. We're gonna have a little chat."
Her eyes widened. "Shit," she muttered while hurrying to finish before tossing her mascara in the drawer and closing it with a hip. She hurried over to the closet, grabbed a hoody and hurried out of the room and down the stairs.
When she walked into the living room, Charlie was sitting in his usual chair, eyeing Jake who was looking surprisingly relaxed on the couch. "Everything okay?" she ventured.
Jake stood and smiled. "Everything's great," he said while stepping around the couch to take her hand.
"Yeah," Charlie grumbled. "Just great, and it'll stay that way as long as you remember what I said Jacob."
Bella looked between her dad and Jake, her brows raised. Jake grinned and nodded. "I'll remember Charlie."
He led her to the door and Charlie called out. "Back by midnight! I'll wait up!"
They walked out the door and Bella rolled her eyes as Jake chuckled. "You're awfully cheerful despite all that."
He stopped walking and tugged her to him, one hand rising to cup and caress her cheek. "I just picked up my beautiful girl. Why wouldn't I be cheerful?" Before she could say anything, he leaned down and kissed her, slowly and sweetly until he lightly nipped her bottom lip. Her arms circled his neck then, her fingers playing in the hair at the nape of his neck as she willingly deepened the kiss.
Moments later he ended it with a soft peck before smiling as their heads rested together. "Nothing can ruin this," he murmured as she smiled back at him. He stepped back and took her hand again. "Now come on. Let's get outta here."
He led her to his truck and helped her in before walking around to get behind the wheel. "So, where are you taking me?" she asked as he closed his door and started the truck.
"Dinner and a movie sound okay?" he asked with a glance, now looking a little nervous. "There isn't much to choose from…"
She took his hand with a smile. "No, that sounds great. I was just curious."
He pulled out and she glanced over at him. "What?" he asked with a smile.
"What did Charlie say to you?"
He laughed. "It wasn't too bad," he hedged with a glance.
"That's good," she said with a smirk. "But that still doesn't answer the question."
"Tough customer," he muttered before shooting her a quick look. "Fine, he said he owns an unregistered gun and knows how to hide a body."
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes went wide at the completely serious look on Jake's face. Then he cracked up laughing.
She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled as his laughter tapered off to a chuckle. "You should have seen your face."
"Ha, ha, very funny, Black."
"Uh oh, she breaks out the last name. That can't be good."
She ignored him in favor of staring out the windshield and he grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her fingers. "Aw come on sweetheart… I was only kidding. You aren't really mad at me, are you?"
She chanced a glance at him and he gave her a pleading look. "Damn it," she said with a sigh. "I can't stay mad when you look at me like that."
He grinned and chanced a quick kiss to her cheek. "Thank you baby."
She hmph'ed. "That won't always be the case so don't push your luck."
"Yes Ma'am," he agreed and she rolled her eyes.
"Now, what did he really say?"
"He said he loves you and doesn't want to see you hurt. He said he wasn't going to dictate to you; that he's trusting you to make your own decisions. He said I'm to treat you with respect and that no means no, not maybe. I agreed and that was it."
Her brows had inched up with every word he'd said. "Wow," she muttered before looking back at him. "That was it? Really?"
Jake rolled his lips together and looked at her. "Well, uh, there was one more thing…" he hedged and she nodded.
"Somehow I knew there was." She pinned him with a determined gaze. "Tell me."
He cringed. "Might be easier to show you," he muttered while digging in his jacket pocket. He handed her a small box and she stared at it, uncomprehending.
"What's this?" she asked as she turned the box over in her hands.
Jake reached up and clicked on the map light.
"Oh my God!" she yelled and tossed the box on the dashboard as her face flamed red. She glared at a laughing Jake. "Is this another joke? Because it's not funny…At. All."
The smile fell from his face at her dark expression. "Bella, I swear that's the absolute truth."
"Charlie—Forks Police Chief—my father—gave you a box of condoms before our first date?" she growled.
He glanced over and nervously nodded.
She hung her head and covered her eyes with a hand. "Oh my god," she muttered. "I'm gonna kill the man, slowly and painfully."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.