The Consequences {Jacob Black}

Chapter XXIX: Jacob's Point of View

I was startled awake by a gentle stirring and tug on my hand. I rubbed my face against the pillow, hoping that I could fall back asleep. But I heard a gentle heartbeat thrumming from my side. Annie. I rolled, trying to subdue the ache in my back from being in once position for so long. I gripped Annie's waist and flipped her with me, tucking her into my side. I smiled down groggily at her flushed face. It was good to see some color in her little cheeks again. I rubbed her bare little shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin against my hand. Bare skin? She trembled beneath me.

I focused a little more, realizing that my oversize t-shirt had fallen off one shoulder, exposing the smooth skin of her collarbone and chest. She had thrown the thick winter blanket I'd had on her aside; probably too warm after sleeping by my side. I sighed as I pushed myself up, careful not to jostle her, and grabbed the blanket, tucking it up around her neck. I looked down at her, her mouth puckered in an adorable little pout. I cupped her head in my hand and pulled her closer to me, her breath whispering across my chest.

"Why did you leave me, Jake?" she whispered. I pulled back to look at her. "That leech was in my house and you just left me."

"I would have hurt you, Annie. You told me to leave. You saw it," I murmured back. She pulled away from my arms, walking back towards the Cullens. Why were the here? Why were they in my house.

"I didn't think that you'd actually leave me. I thought you loved me," she cried, taking another step away from me.

"I do Annie; I shouldn't have left. Please, Rye, come back," I begged in desperation.

"No; they care about me." She turned away from me.

"Annie!" I shouted, sitting up in my bed. It was a dream; only a dream. I had returned from my run, only ten minutes, to find Annie gone. There was a part of me that wondered if she wanted to go with the bloodsucker; if she had sent me away so that she could get away from them.

"She's still not here," Dad called from the hallway. "Charlies's livid. Why would Ryanne do this?" he muttered more to himself than to me. It didn't make sense. She was so mad at her sister. I was mad at her sister. Why would Annie leave with the Cullen bitch? This just didn't make sense.

I had sprinted back from her house and straight into Sam and Emily's. "Sam, you have to let me go after her," I begged.

"She's made a decision, Jacob," Sam replied. "Bella-"

"I don't care about Bella! Annie went with them," I interrupted. Sam looked confused, his brows furrowed.

"Why would Annie go with them?" Emily asked quietly from behind us.

"It doesn't matter. Ryanne is with them, Jacob, but if the Cullens are back, we need to protect our people."

"But Ryanne-"

"If the Cullens hurt her, they know that they're starting a war. Stay here; protect our people."

"Sam," Emily said, her hand on his arm.

"No; Jacob, we won't talk about this again." An invisible hand took hold of my heart, squeezing and tugging. "You will stay here and do your duties." And I submitted. I glared at Sam, hatred and desperation in my eyes. "I'm sorry, Jacob."

I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me. "Sam, I know you're doing what you think is right," Emily said quietly behind me. "But if it was me-"

"I hope someone would get my head on straight. I love you, Em; I do. And I love Ryanne, as well, but the Cullens won't hurt her. If they do, I'll be the first to attack," he promised.

I phased, unable to breathe. My imprint was in trouble and my Alpha was forcing me to stay on La Push. I wanted to go after her, to find her, to bring her home and squeeze her to death.