In all honesty, she feared confronting them. Well, not the Protectors as a whole, but Jacob. He meant a lot to her, and he still hurt over her decision to stay with Edward. That much was obvious in the way he looked at her, like being in her presence was both heaven and hell. She hated the thought of talking to him, and she feared how he might react if she did near him.

Would he push her away? Or would he pull her too close and never let go? Neither option appealed to the halfa, so she kept as much distance as she could. That would have to stop though, and soon if she wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible once the war started.

Bella wasn't aware how deep into her thoughts she was until she heard a soft throat being cleared next to her. She spun quickly, a wary glare on her face, which softened when she saw Alice standing next to her. She smiled at the smaller vampire and felt even guiltier when she realized she hadn't been paying much attention to the Cullens either.

“Mind if we talk, Bella?” Alice asked. She didn't sound worried or upset, just hopeful and sweet. She only wanted to catch up with her friend; Bella felt worse, if it was even possible.

“Sure, we haven't talked much lately.”

Alice patted her shoulder comfortingly. “You've got a lot on your plate right now,” she said. “I understand.”

A grateful smile pulled at Bella's lips, and she walked off with the older woman. Her footsteps echoed in her ears, and she could feel the glare on her back. Bella gulped and hoped Jacob didn't hate her too much. She needed him, not only as an ally but also as a friend. She just hoped being a friend would be enough for him.

TIME LIMIT

Jacob loathed Edward. He really did. The bastard didn't deserve Bella's love, yet she gave it to him so willingly, so freely. Why?

The werewolf knew he needed to stop living in the past. Paul was right. Bella would never be his, and he needed to accept the facts and move on, perhaps find a nice girl on the rez. How could he move on, though, when every time he closed his eyes he saw auburn hair, brown eyes, and a shy smile?