A thousand possibilities ran through my mind as I searched for clues, hints that I'd previously missed. I'd underestimated his audacity, but I'd not been completely unsuspecting. I'd always been wary of him, and, if I was honest with myself, their relationship. I’d told myself he was dangerous because of the threat to her safety that a young, inexperienced, savage werewolf presented. Now that the pretenses were fading, wariness morphed into fear. Perhaps it was fear all along. I sighed, frustrated with myself. My own inability to focus on controlling my thoughts, my anxiety, and my envy was…unbearable. Was I teetering on the edge of my self-control? Yes, that was it.

And, Bella. Her reaction, her desire, her inclination to him was deplorable. I shuddred with despair. I could not ignore it. She felt the draw. It was on her face, in her body language, in her smile. It was as if they were drawn to one another. Was there more there to her inability to stay away from him? Was he the reason, the true reason, she’d given me back my mother’s ring? I’d hidden my dejection, but surely she must have considered that I would question her motive?

A complex concoction of emotions sprang forth, just as strong as before. I'd hoped with each surge that the complexity, the potent blend of feeling would lessen, or decrease in intensity. I was very wrong. It was worse, despite that I managed to anticipate the intensity. Of course, it didn’t help that a part of me knew my anger was justified. Even a human would be angry! The entire situation was offensive. Who would be satisfied to wait, stationary, and helpless while their romantic rival gallivanted up a mountainside with their love in his arms, plotting to persuade her of their destiny together? It wasn't just me.

There were so many questions, questions that threatened to pull me lose with uncertainty. What would Jacob say to her? Was there something between them that I had missed before? I wondered what she would say to him. A strong western wind broke me from my morbid machinations. The storm Alice had warned us about was rapidly approaching. The temperature of the gust was several degrees cooler than the current temperature. Thankfully, I was well-prepared.