It was then that I’d understood him. Brave Jacob Black was on a sincere mission. And, there was nothing I could do to stop him. To confront him would be the worst possible course of action. To challenge him was just as terrible. Only one would walk away. And, Bella would never forgive me. Besides, countless reasons demanded that is life be spared. Most important amongst those was the fact that I needed his help and so did she.

Nevertheless, my instincts were right. Beating them back with careful rationalization and cleverly constructed morality was no easy task. In fact, it was nearly impossible. He was planning to talk to Bella about his feelings for her. And, it was probably happening now as I descended into madness, pacing in a camp. I felt desperation and rage equally. Because, deep down, Jacob Black was convinced that she loved him. And, a tiny part of me suspected that he might be right.

The vindictive, spiteful side of me was pleased beyond measure with the very fact that I possessed this knowledge to begin with. I smiled at the thought that he was wholly unaware that I’d caught the thought from the back of his mind as he had consciously attempted to push it away, almost as if he were protecting it. He was becoming quite adept at attempting to control his thoughts; perhaps practicing with the pack had taught him some aspect of control. Yet, he did not slide by me. His attempt was unsuccessful.

What I couldn't understand was why his thought had surprised me. I should have expected his arrogance, his tenacity, his dedication to winning her, stealing her. Honestly, in the course of all of our interactions, he’d made no effort to hide it from either of us, behaving in a most juvenile manner. Had I deceived myself that completely by thinking he was ready to let go of her? I wasn't sure. And, once I'd let both the possibility of my own gross self-deception combined with my uncertainty with the situation truly sink in, I'd nearly driven myself mad. I'd set up the entire camp in a fraction of the time it should have taken me, leaving me with nothing but trivial distractions. Fool.